Friday, February 16, 2024

A recent sighting of a bobcat in Durham. Courtesy, Dan Keefe

Since 1920, New Hampshire has hosted the first presidential primary in the nation. As a small state with a long tradition of political engagement, New Hampshire has an extraordinarily successful record picking the primary candidates who ultimately win their respective party’s nominations and have gone on to win the presidency. As former Governor John H. Sununu once famously said, “The people of Iowa pick corn; the people of New Hampshire pick presidents.” New Hampshire voters got it right 14 times in 18 elections!

The Portsmouth Athenaeum has an interesting exhibit opening this evening that will cover the history of the Granite State’s primaries for 100 years, featuring the memorabilia from many personal collections and photographs of local photographers Jim Cole, Renee Giffroy, Roger Goun, Meryl Levin, and Michael Sterling. Film and music producer Dennis Kleinman of “Reading Rainbow” fame has created a video montage of presidential campaign songs throughout the years.

An extensive collection of election posters, photographs, campaign buttons and swag, and other political memorabilia will be on display – including Durham’s historical wooden ballot box!

From February 16th through June 29th, the free exhibit is open in the Athenaeum’s Randall Gallery from Tuesday – Saturday between 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The grand opening is tonight. Click HERE for more information.

CANDIDATE FORUM TO BE HELD THIS TUESDAY EVENING FOR TOWN COUNCIL CANDIDATES - Calling for topics of discussion

Four candidates are running for three Town Councilor positions (3-year terms) for the Town's March 12, 2024 election. A candidate forum will be held on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers of the Town Hall. A Zoom option for viewing the forum is available HERE. In addition, the forum will be recorded and available for viewing later on DCAT. Attorney Chris Regan, the Town's Moderator, has agreed to moderate the forum.

The four candidates running are:

• Darrell Ford
• Heather Grant
• Curtis Register
• Harry Tobias

In addition, James Bubar is running uncontested for a 1-year term Town Council position. He will also attend the forum to introduce himself to the Town. To learn more about these candidates, please click HERE.

If there are specific topics related to Durham that you would like the candidates to address at the forum, please email those topics to Administrative Assistant, Karen Edwards, at kedwards@ci.durham.nh.us.

Jackson's Landing Courtesy, Noelle Khleif

EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT FOR ADMINISTRATOR SELIG TO BE CONSIDERED FOR EXTENSION BY THE TOWN COUNCIL

Town Council Chair Sally Needell and Chair Pro Tem Jim Lawson will be introducing a Resolution at Monday evening's Council meeting to extend the Employment Contract for Administrator Todd Selig to December 31, 2030. Mr. Selig's current Contract expires on December 31, 2025. In addition to the agreement extension, several amendments to the contract are also being incorporated. To read the new Draft Employment Contract, please click HERE.

Every day we are faced with consumer decisions that affect our environmental footprint and our impact on the planet. Now that Durham is using Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire (CPCNH) to contract for our electric power, you can make a difference by “opting up” to a rate plan with more renewable energy. Here are some examples of the impact we could have:

• If 2000 households in Durham opted up to Granite Plus (33% renewable) by investing less than $1 per month (75 cents) or $9 per year, that would allow us to remove the equivalent pollution of 176 cars. 
• If the 2000 people opted up to Clean 50 (50% renewable) by investing $7.25 per month or $87 per year, we would effectively remove 510 cars off the road.
• If you and one friend decide to opt up to Clean 100 (100% renewable), you two have removed the annual emissions of one and a half cars.

Together, we can make a real impact with one decision to consume electricity wisely and reduce our climate impact by buying more renewable power. Consider “opting-up” today by calling 1-866-603-POWR or going to https://www.communitypowernh.gov/durham

*Based on NH avg usage of 650 kWh/month

** Based on Eversource Environmental Disclosure Label 0.968 lbs CO2 / kWh https://www.energy.nh.gov/consumers/choosing-energy-supplier/environmental-disclosure-labels

^ Based on EPA “average” gas car, 22.2 MPG, 11,500 mi/yr, produces 10,141 lbs CO2 / yr

SESSION BEING HELD FOR THE PURPOSE OF ACCEPTING NEW VOTERS AND FOR MAKING CHANGES IN PARTY, ADDRESS, OR NAME

Saturday, March 2, 2024    4:00 – 4:30 PM     Durham Town Hall

Applicants for registration should bring with them proofs of identity, age, citizenship, and domicile (in Durham). Driver’s license and passport are helpful. Affidavits may be signed under oath if proofs are lacking. 

A new voter checklist has just been printed. There are two at the town hall, one in the foyer at the big square table, and one in the clerk’s office. This is an updated version from the primary election. Changes to party or name, or names of new registrations since January 23 will NOT show up until after March 2. Shortly after that date, a final checklist for use at the town election will be printed.

A person’s party is not important EXCEPT at a primary. The State Primary will be held early in September. The final date to change party for that election will be June 4, 2024. You may make these changes in the Town Clerk’s office during office hours, at the election on March 12, or at any of the Supervisors’ posted sessions. You may also register to vote at any of these times.

This past Friday, Durham resident, Agricultural Committee member, and Bee City organizer Lee Alexander met briefly with Todd Selig at Town Hall. Despite Todd’s best efforts, the Xerces Society is not willing to have Durham transition to a “reduced status” Bee City USA town. As such, Lee and Todd agreed that Durham would withdraw from being a “certified” Bee City USA town. Perhaps like former USA Presidents or University faculty, Durham could be considered a “former’ or “emeritus” status. Lee has solicited interest from others on or local boards to take on the lead for the program, but others are all very busy with their own initiatives at this time and there was no one to step forward. 

Since Durham will withdraw, there is no longer a need to compile/submit the significant and time-consuming documentation for 2024 certification/renewal to the Xerces Society. Unfortunately, the documentation has become ever more complicated since Bee City was taken over by the Xerces Society. This includes a detailed annual report on Durham’s 2023 activities, and the $200 annual fee required for Durham to remain a certified Bee City USA town. 

We will ask Durham DPW to take down the “Bee City USA” street signs sometime next month.

On a more positive note, Lee will remain the lead Agricultural Commission person on honeybee-related activities that are associated with agricultural production (e.g., bee keeping and producing local honey). 

Mr. Selig notes that in the final analysis, the important thing is that we are taking local action, not that we have external branding. Sometimes the branding is helpful to get an initiative started, but it’s okay to walk that back at a later time if the effort/work/commitment involved is no longer worth the benefits afforded. That’s the case here. 

A BIG thank you is extended to Lee Alexander for his work on this over many, many years.

Durham Wastewater Superintendent Dan Peterson reported this week that NHDES has adopted new rules for wastewater plants and permit holders. These were overdue and needed to be put in place. The reason why comes down to staffing shortages and mismanaged plants throughout the state. (Administrator Selig notes the Epping wastewater plant situation last year in which surcharge was allowed to flow into the Lamprey River.)

Part of the new rules was to do a staffing evaluation at each facility. The grading is based upon different criteria for each facility. This evaluation is used as a tool to justify staffing levels at poor performing facilities.

The new rules give more enforcement leverage to NHDES on the municipal permit holders and representatives if treatment facilities are failing due to staffing, plant conditions, or constant violations. There have been various plants throughout the state that have had issues.

Through a lot of hard work, the Town of Durham’s Wastewater Treatment Plant ranks very well as far as operations due to an incredible staff. The fact is that our staff members are very versatile in day-to-day operations and positions. But, with the additional permit requirements being added, with more coming soon, they will equate to more time and work to meet requirements on both plant operations as well as the collection systems. We will continue to monitor in terms of what that means for our staffing levels going forward. Staff manage our plant with a bare-bones, yet highly talented team. 

Superintendent Peterson notes:  “PS. I do have the greatest staff and I know we are all are very happy to work for the Town of Durham.”

PUBLIC HEARING ON ZONING AMENDMENTS FOR WORKFORCE HOUSING

The Planning Board is holding a public hearing at their meeting of Wednesday, February 28, at 7:00 p.m. on proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, including the rezoning of one parcel of land, to accommodate Workforce Housing in the Research-Industry Districts. This change would not affect the four residential districts. You can find the amendments HERE.

The proposal was endorsed by the Durham Housing Task Force and then forwarded to the Planning Board for consideration. Please feel free to contact Michael Behrendt, Town Planner, with any questions about this proposal at mbehrendt@ci.durham.nh.us.

Evidence of beaver activity along Sweet Trail. Courtesy, John Parsons

PRESENTATIONS TO BE GIVEN BY RKG ASSOCIATES ON HOUSING NEEDS IN DURHAM 

RKG Associates will give a presentation to the Durham Housing Task Force at their meeting on Monday, February 19, at 10:00 a.m. as well as to the Town Council at their meeting on Monday, February 19, at 7:00 p.m. about the Draft Housing Needs Analysis that has been completed. The Town of Durham hired RKG Associates to prepare an assessment to assist the Housing Task Force in understanding the specific needs for housing in town. You can review the draft report by clicking HERE. 

The Town received a $25,000 grant under the state’s Housing Opportunity Program, which included $20,000 for the assessment plus $5,000 to hold a forum later this year to talk with the community about housing issues.  There is a good deal of interesting, and some surprising, information in the report which covers demographic trends in Durham, housing characteristics, market trends, workforce housing, senior housing, student housing, and a discussion of the capacity of the land to accommodate new development.

2ND ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION FOR THE OYSTER RIVER MASSACRE MARKER PROVED TO BE ENGAGING

The Durham Historic District/Heritage Commission is hosting three roundtable discussions to talk about the Oyster River Massacre Marker and potential revised language for the marker (along with ideas for conducting these kinds of conversations effectively going forward). The marker was removed from its location on Newmarket Road several years ago by NH Historic Resources and NHDOT, among numerous signs statewide, pending a re-evaluation of the appropriateness of certain existing markers.  

The second roundtable discussion was held last night. The discussion was quite engaging and challenging. You can watch the meeting on DCAT HERE. The final roundtable will be held on Thursday, March 21 starting at 4:00 p.m.  You can review numerous documents related to the marker HERE. Please email the Town Planner with any questions at mbehrendt@ci.durham.nh.us.

The participants of the roundtable are:

Chair/Facilitators

• Larry Brickner-Wood, chair of the HDC, will chair the discussions.
• Charlotte Bacon, of Montgomery Will, will facilitate the discussions.
• Barbara Will, of Montgomery Will, will facilitate the discussions.
• Michael Behrendt, Town Planner

Durham Historic District/Heritage Commission (HDC)

• Jennifer Becker
• Carolyn Singer

Durham Human Rights Commission

• Richard Belshaw
• Janet Perkins-Howland
• (Kathy Collins as an alternate)

Durham Historic Association (DHA)

• Steve Eames
• Janet Mackie
• (Nancy Sandberg as an alternate)

New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources (NHDHR)

• Amy Dixon, Community Preservation Coordinator
• Nadine Miller, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer

New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT)

• Sheila Charles, Cultural Resources Program Specialist/Archaeologist
• Jill Edelmann, Cultural Resources Program Manager

New Hampshire Commission on Native American Affairs

• Anne Jennison, chair

Indigenous New Hampshire Collaborative Collective and Cowasuck Band of the Pennacook Abenaki People

• Denise Pouliot, member of the Cowasuck Band

The Town of Durham continues project planning to remove the Mill Pond Dam on the Oyster River (also referred to as the Oyster River Dam at Mill Pond) due to concerns regarding its structural integrity and stability and to improve habitat for anadromous fish. The proposed work will include the restoration of the Oyster River channel upstream of the dam and invasive species management in the drained impoundment area. A planting plan has also been developed to improve post-construction aesthetics while the project area revegetates. The project is funded by more than $4.0 million in state and federal grants.

A Standard Dredge and Fill Wetlands Permit Application will be submitted to the NH Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) today (February 9, 2024) for the proposed work. This review will ensure that this project complies will all applicable state and federal environmental regulations related to wetlands and streams. Permitting through the NHDES Shoreland Program will also occur for impacts proposed within the 250-foot Protected Shoreland of the Oyster River, beyond the limits of Mill Pond. Among the numerous ecological benefits, this restoration project will improve upstream fish passage, restore the natural functions and values of the Oyster River, increase habitat diversity, and allow tidal flow to extend farther upstream. Extensive coordination with various parties (such as the NHDES, US Army Corps of Engineers, NH Natural Heritage Bureau, NH Fish and Game Department, NH Division of Historical Resources, Durham Conservation Commission, and many others) has been crucial for the permitting process and will be ongoing throughout construction.

The dam removal is subject to review under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, which requires the federal agencies leading the project to identify and evaluate the impacts the project may have on historic and archaeological resources. Section 106 is a four step consultation processes, and as part of that process the Town, US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), NH Division of Historical Resources (NHDHR) have been regularly meeting with a large number of “consulting parties,” which include property owners, the Durham Historic District/Heritage Commission, Durham Historic Association, Tribal representatives, conservation organizations, and others with an interest in historic resources. The agencies and consulting parties have worked through the first three steps, identifying the historic and archaeological resources through research and surveys and assessing the adverse effects that would be caused by the dam’s removal. The next consulting party meeting is scheduled for March 26, 2024, where the Town, agencies, and consulting parties will continue discussing potential measures that will be taken to mitigation the adverse effect caused by the project. These mitigation measures will be written into a Memorandum of Agreement to be signed by the Town, NHDHR, NOAA, and the Corps.

The Town is planning to advertise the project for construction bids. Given the complex nature of dam removal and river restoration construction, only bids from prequalified contractors will be considered. First, interested contractors will be invited to submit a prequalification statement demonstrating relevant experience with successful projects as well as sufficient staff and equipment to complete the work. After the Town and VHB have identified qualified contractors, full bid documents will be made available for qualified contractors to submit competitive bids for construction.

The project team is also working on two related efforts – improving fish passage on the Oyster Reservoir Dam (the “UNH Dam”) upstream of the Mill Pond Dam, and planning improvements to the Mill Pond Park to adapt that public space to the restored Oyster River. Project renderings of the Oyster River, following channel restoration, along with the preservation of the historic abutment, which includes a single Ambursen style dam cell, are shown above as examples.

Depending on a number of factors, the Town hopes to begin removing the dam and restoring the river as soon as this summer. More information about this project along with the wetlands permit application and full renderings are available through the Town's website HERE.

Campus Creamery will be re-opening for their second season on Friday, February 16th. The Creamery is located at 60 Main Street in downtown Durham next to Town & Campus. Hours of operation will be 1 PM until 10 PM every day. There are some great new flavors like cherry moose tracks, cotton candy and bubblegum. Some additional products will be added later this year. The ever popular $5 Shamrock Frappe is available for a limited time. @campuscreamery 603-868-9661

OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO HELP WITH PROPERTY TAXES

If you are in a situation where you are finding it difficult to pay property taxes, there are programs that have been adopted by the Town of Durham that may be of assistance. These programs are in the form of property tax exemptions, credits, low to moderate income tax relief, and property tax deferrals for the elderly and disabled. Information and applications pertaining to these programs can be found on the right-hand menu of the Town of Durham Assessing website HERE. 

Tax deferrals for the elderly and disabled are due March 1, 2024. Applications for tax exemptions and credits are due by April 15, 2024.

If you have any questions, please contact the Durham Assessor’s Office at (603) 868-8064.  

ASSESSOR TO INSPECT PROPERTIES ISSUED BUILDING PERMITS IN 2023 & 2024

Durham’s new municipal assessor, Jay Ferreira will be inspecting all properties in Durham that were issued building permits between April 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024 for new construction, renovations and demolition projects.     

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

For the entire month of February, purchase this reusable Community bag for $2.50 at the Hannaford in Mill Road Plaza, Durham, and Hannaford will donate $1.00 to The Friends of the Durham Library.

Many of us like to shred old or outdated personal documents for security purposes. Once shredded, it’s important to know how to dispose of the shredded paper properly. 

Shredded paper cannot be recycled and must go in your garbage bin, unless you choose to use it in other ways (see the link below).

Why can’t I recycle my shredded paper?

Once shredded paper arrives at the recycling center, it either ends up floating all over the place like confetti or, if it gets wet, it turns into pulp. Either way it isn’t captured for recycling. 

What are other options?

There are often local shredding events to which you can take your paper (Bank of New Hampshire often offers these events each year, for example) At shredding events there is usually a truck with industrial shredders, and those trucks take the paper directly to paper recycling facilities. That is the best way to ensure your information is securely shredded and recycled. 

There are also many options to repurpose your shredded paper. Check out the link HERE to learn more.

Brought to you by the IWMAC Committee 

Not sure if an item can be recycled? Check here: www.Recyclesmartma.org

FEBRUARY REPORT FROM LAND STEWARDSHIP COORDINATOR SARA CALLAGHAN OF FIREFLY STEWARDSHIP LLC

January Progress and Activities included…

• Supported the Stewarding Our Lands Working Group by collecting trail use information from Longmarsh Preserve and attended the Working Group meeting
• Continued coordination efforts with Charlie Moreno to update the forest management plan and with RCCD on invasive species management on behalf of the Trustees of Trust Funds on Doe Farm.
• Attended Land Stewardship Subcommittee and Conservation Commission meetings.
• Completed written and mapping documentation of easement monitoring visits.
• Reviewed potential conservation projects and spoke with landowners about possible conservation outcomes.
• Prepared potential project list and goals for 2024 and reviewed the list with Ann Welsh and Todd Selig.

The Oyster River Cooperative School District wishes to recognize Durham Police Officer Michael Nicolosi on National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day, recognized each year on Feb. 15 by the National Association of School Resource Officers.

A School Resource Officer (SRO) is a full-time law enforcement officer that is trained in school-based, community-oriented policing. The position is one of the most important roles for both police departments and school districts, serving as a liaison between educators and law enforcement, a friendly face, and a helping hand in the community.

Officer Nicolosi has been an active presence at all four Oyster River Cooperative School District schools for four years. Nicolosi is a proud member of the community, being among the District’s biggest Bobcat Boosters. 

The delivery of law enforcement services and the public’s perception of the delivery of these services are subjective and often complex. While there are many aspects to such perceptions, generally they can be grouped into three categories: overall public image of the police department, perceptions of the outcome of the delivery of police services, and perceptions of police procedure and how it impacts real people on a personal level.

The “Friday Updates” has been utilized as a medium to recommit how the police chief, police administrative staff, and police officers at the Durham Police Department view their role as an important part of the Durham community. Such reaffirmation is important as there should be an understanding of the type of service a person will receive from their local police department.

In Plato’s “Republic”, Plato viewed a perfect democracy giving the greatest amount of power to those called the Guardians who would protect the democracy and focus upon ethics, integrity, and virtue. Sir Robert Peel, who some view as the father of modern policing, is quoted as saying, “The police are the people, and the people are the police.” Peel was a believer that police officers, in the performance of their duties, would be able to prevent crime without intruding upon the lives of citizens.

Unfortunately, there continue to be national instances of very poorly accomplished police actions and/or outright misconduct on the nightly news, which has rekindled among public policy practitioners the concept of a “Warrior” (a culture and mindset more like warriors at war with the people police are sworn to protect and serve) versus the “Guardian” delivery of policing services described.

The reality that Plato was philosophizing on such topics 2,400 years ago illustrates that this is obviously not a new concept or an easy issue, but it’s important to note that the Guardian role has been the approach of the Durham Police Department for the past 20+ years. Every member of the organization believes that creating strong connections and community engagement will lead to improved public safety and more effective delivery of policing services. This approach also emphasizes procedural justice designed to reinforce police legitimacy, which is the public’s perception that the actions of the police are warranted and in the best interest of (and in service of) the community.

People who believe the police are “procedurally just” are more likely to trust them, see them as legitimate, and comply with their lawful requests. The practice of procedural justice in community interactions entails making decisions transparently, allowing community members to voice their opinions, treating people respectfully, fairly, and impartially, and building trust within the community one interaction at a time.

As Guardians, our police officers are committed to function as part of the broader Durham community, demonstrating compassion and employing consistency in the way policing is undertaken. While that does not eliminate mistakes or misunderstandings, the entire agency is committed to doing the right thing at the right time and continuously trying to improve.

It is the Town Charter, adopted by the citizens of Durham, that authorizes and bestows the use of policing powers from the Town Council to the Administrator to the Durham Police Department, which is one reason why the Team at the department works diligently to be as transparent as possible. By providing the community the department’s annual “response to resistance” and other key annual reporting metrics, citizens can view when force was used by officers and under what circumstances, as well as other data points such as the department’s annual bias review and pursuit analysis, all serving to support the proposition that the public’s trust bestowed upon the organization is warranted.

To reaffirm:  The dedicated, hard-working, and intelligent staff at the Durham Police Department understand their role as Guardians in service to the Durham community.

To read the reports, please click HERE.

On Monday, February 5, 2024, Deputy Fire Chief Robert Atwater was sworn-in at the Durham Town Council Meeting by Todd Selig, Town Administrator and Justice of the Peace.  

Rob assumed the position of Deputy Fire Chief at the Durham Fire Department on December 18, 2023. He began his career in the EMS field in 1990 while at college and has been employed at the Derry Fire Department since 2005, most recently in the position of Battalion Chief. He has also served as a fight paramedic for EMS services including DHART, Westchester Medical Center, Mercy Flight Central, and Rural Metro Medical Services.

Rob is a graduate of Boston College High School and Colgate University. He holds a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts. He also holds a Fire Officer designation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE), is a certified Fire Officer I and II, and has attended course work at the National Fire Academy for EMS Operations and Command and Control of Multi-alarm incidents, as well as the Primex Supervisor’s Academy.

In attendance were members of the Town Council, several members of the Derry & Durham Fire Departments, as well as Rob’s parents, William & Mary Atwater, Rob’s wife, Krista, and son, Liam, who pinned his father with his deputy chief badge.   

Congratulations Deputy Chief Atwater!

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 #7

DON’T PLAY WITH MATCHES OR LIGHTERS.

Matches are something that your Mom and Dad use. It is not safe or smart for kids to play with them. Tell an Adult if someone is playing with matches or a lighter.

For a helpful link on this topic, click HERE.

The Durham Fire Department is hiring for the position of Firefighter/AEMT. The full position posting may be found on the Town’s website HERE or by clicking on the QR code above.

Resumes will be reviewed as submitted. Position to remain open until filled. 

CONSIDER HELPING OYSTER RIVER END 68 HOURS OF HUNGER THROUGH DONATIONS OF FOOD OR MONEY

The Oyster River End 68 Hours of Hunger is the local chapter of a large non-profit organization that provides school aged children with weekly bags of healthy food to supplement the meals they receive at school. The intent is to ensure that no child is hungry over the weekend - during those 68 hours between Friday’s school lunch and Monday’s school breakfast. Even in a relatively privileged community like Oyster River, we have too many children living with food insecurity. With food and fuel prices rising rapidly, more families than ever are struggling to meet their children’s nutritional needs. 

Thanks to the support of local community members, Oyster River End 68 Hours of Hunger has continued to support the children of our community during a time of increased financial stress. We are reaching out to the members of our community for help in sustaining this program. Your donation enables us to continue the delivery of nutritious meals to students who need them across the Oyster River school district, including during the school year and summer. 

You can send a tax-deductible contribution to ORCSD End 68 Hours of Hunger, 33 Coe Drive, Durham, NH 03824. Food donations are accepted at this address as well as at school-sponsored events as posted on the school calendars, when End 68 Hours of Hunger volunteers are present. 

The types of food you can donate (no glass containers) are peanut butter, pretzels, canned beef stew, pasta, ravioli, chili, soup, and beans, Hormel complete meals, nutrition bars, instant oatmeal-individual packet box, juice boxes, small, rather than family sized, cereal boxes, mac and cheese. 

You can find more information HERE.  Ninety-five percent of your donations go to purchasing food for children. Thank you for your generosity!  

OYSTER RIVER SCHOOL BOARD NEWS

February Break 2/26-3/01

All Oyster River schools will be closed February 26 to March 1, 2024.

R.E.A.C.H. Summer Camps

ORCSD is collaborating again this year with the Town of Durham Parks & Recreation Department (DPR) to provide unique and engaging camp opportunities for Oyster River students between the weeks of July 8 and August 2, 2024. R.E.A.C.H. Summer Camp's registration will open on Monday, February 19, at 7:00 a.m. The camp catalog is available online HERE. To register, please visit DPR's RecDesk portal.

New Hampshire SAS Testing Dates

Information for grades 3-8, and 11 is available HERE.

Amy Sterndale Received Distinguished Service Award

ORCSD's Distinguished Service Award is given to a member of the Oyster River community who has volunteered their service to our school community. Details are available HERE.

Coming Event

February 20, 2024, Ode to Joy: A Second Grade Tribute to Composers, 6:00 p.m. at the Oyster River Middle School Concert Hall