Friday Updates - January 2, 2026

Friday, January 2, 2026

The beginning of a new year brings unlimited possibilities. Courtesy, Carol Birch

We begin a new year of Friday Updates today! Thank you to all who subscribe and faithfully read each week. Thank you also to those who send Durham photos to be included. We are always open to receiving more photos! You can email them to Admin. Assistant Karen Edwards at kedwards@ci.durham.nh.us.

CHRISTMAS TREE COLLECTION

Durham Public Works Crews will be collecting Christmas trees that are placed curbside during the week of January 5th beginning Monday at 7:00 AM. Crews will make one pass down each roadway. Trees will also be accepted at the Transfer Station on Tuesday’s and Saturday’s between 7:30 AM and 3 PM.

Please also remove all lights, ornaments and tinsel from the trees before placing curbside or dropping off at the transfer station. This is especially important this year as the Integrated Waste Management Advisory Committee (IWMAC) and Durham Public Works are partnering with local Scout troop 154 to transport the trees from the transfer station to the Hickory Nut Farm in Lee. The farm's goats love eating Christmas trees!

2026 BOAT DECALS CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE

Due to the recent passage of HB2 and a required state software upgrade, 2026 boat decals are not yet available at the Durham Town Clerk’s Office.

Durham residents may still renew their boat registrations using one of the following options:

• Mail the renewal letter along with a check directly to the New Hampshire DMV, or
• Schedule an appointment to register your boat in person at any NH-DMV substation. Same day appointments now available.

We will share updates as soon as 2026 boat decals become available. Please note that registrations for boats cannot be done online at this time.

We’re Here to Help

As always, the Clerk-Collector’s Office is here to assist Durham residents. If you have any questions, please contact us at 603-868-5577, and Rachel, Audrey, or Maura will be happy to help.

Durham’s very own Police Dog Jett has a friendly reminder that 2026 dog licenses will be available starting Monday, January 5, 2026!

For your convenience, the Town of Durham offers online dog licensing, so you can take care of business quickly—no leash required. Click HERE to renew online. All dogs must have a valid rabies vaccination to obtain a license. Proof may be uploaded during the online process or emailed to the Clerk’s Office.

Jett’s Top Tips for Dog Owners

• License your dog by May 31 to avoid a late fee of $1 per month starting June 1.
• Dog tags are available after January 1 each year—Jett never leaves home without his!
• Licenses requested online or by mail will be processed and mailed directly to you.
• Prefer an in-person visit? Stop by the Clerk’s Office during normal business hours—Jett approves.

What the Law Says

New Hampshire law requires all dogs 3 months and older to be licensed every year.

• License period: May 1 through April 30
• Proof of a valid rabies vaccination is required at the time of registration.

2026 Dog License Fees

• Unaltered Male or Female: $10.00
• Spayed or Neutered Dog: $7.50
• Senior Citizen Owner (65+) – First Dog: $2.00
• Late Fee (beginning June 1): $1.00 per month

Jett would like to remind everyone - cats do not require a license.

Thanks for helping keep Durham’s dogs safe and healthy!

RIDE THE DOWNEASTER FOR $26 IN JANUARY OF 2026!

Amtrak Downeaster is offering a special round-trip ticket price of $26 for January of 2026. Book a trip in January and ride from Brunswick to Boston or any station in between at a discounted price.

• Valid for coach seating only
• 3-Day advance reservation is required
• Use promo code V530
• Not combinable with any other discount
• Select “Adult” to receive discount. The discounted price will reflect once added to cart.
• If you are traveling with children, select “Adult.” When prompted for a date of birth, enter the adult traveler’s birthday.
• Offer not valid on trains: 680, 692, 686, 696.

Valid for Sale: 12/15/2025 – 1/28/2026

Valid for Travel: 1/1/2026 – 1/31/2026

Click HERE to buy tickets.

The Town of Durham and the Durham Housing Task Force received the 2025 Municipal Leadership Award from the Workforce Housing Coalition of the Greater Seacoast on December 18. The award honored the Town’s,“…exceptional efforts to address housing diversity, supply, and affordability at the local level,” recognizing the efforts of the task force in helping to develop the attainable housing ordinance, conducting extensive outreach to the community about housing issues, overseeing a study of housing here, and preparing a proposed set of zoning amendments that will be presented to the Planning Board soon.

Beginning on Monday, January 5, the Department of Public Works (DPW) will begin the curbside Christmas tree pick up in town. In years past, the town has collected Christmas trees that have been stripped of all lights, ornaments and tinsel, and brought them to the transfer station.

This year, the Integrated Waste Management Advisory Committee (IWMAC) and the DPW are partnering with Scoutmaster Good Shepard, Assistant Scoutmaster Fred Slama, and local Scout Troop 154 to transport the trees from the transfer station to the Hickory Nut Farm in Lee on Saturday, January 10. The farm's goats love eating Christmas trees! This will serve as a win/win - diverting the trees into a sustainable source of food for local animals, while also helping the farm save on the cost of feeding their goats. 

The Scout Troop 154 is chartered by the Community Church of Durham and has been an active scout troop since 1923. Troop 154 serves boys and girls who are interested in participating in the scouting program. This project would not be possible without the help of Scout Troop 154. We are grateful to them for being willing to serve our community in this way.

To learn more about Troop 154, please click HERE.

Brought to you by the IWMAC Committee 

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

Check us out on Instagram: sustainable.durham.nh

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

Want to learn more about the Swap Shop? Click HERE

We hope that you get a chance to get out and enjoy Durham's trails this winter.  Healthy forests don’t happen by accident; they thrive when we care for them together. The Durham Conservation Commission encourages all residents to adopt forest-friendly best management practices that help reduce erosion, protect water quality, and support wildlife habitat.

Whether you own forested land or simply enjoy walking Durham’s trails, your actions matter. Maintaining vegetated buffers near wetlands and streams helps filter runoff and preserve aquatic ecosystems. Avoiding trail construction in sensitive or steep areas prevents soil loss and habitat disruption. Managing invasive species protects native trees and wildlife biodiversity, while planting native vegetation and minimizing impervious surfaces like pavement or compacted soil helps forests absorb rainfall and stay resilient.

These practices not only safeguard Durham’s natural character; they ensure our forests remain healthy, connected, and full of life for generations to come.

The winter is a great time to prepare for spring projects. Neil Slepian (Chair of the Land Stewardship Subcommittee) has been working with volunteer Ralph Danko to make kits for Leopoldo benches to be built later in January with the help of a local Scouts Pack. Benches will be stored until they can be installed on different conservation properties in the spring!

Many more projects are being worked on this winter, including the May 17th Bioblitz!

Email our Land Stewardship Coordinator Veronique at vludington@ci.durham.nh.us if you’d like to volunteer for trail maintenance and projects.

OYSTER RIVER SCHOOL NEWS

Kindergarten Registration to Open January 27

Kindergarten registration for the 2026-2027 school year will open on January 27, 2026. The registration packet and additional information are available on ORCSD's Kindergarten Registration page HERE.

School News

Elementary Schools Tours & Listening Sessions

Oyster River residents and community members are invited to join Superintendent Shaps, Director of Facilities Dave Totty, and Principals Lowe and Goldsmith at Mast Way and Moharimet schools for guided tours and listening sessions. These school visits will provide information on the Elementary Project proposed expansion and renovations, give you a first-hand look at how our current facilities limit our ability to deliver quality education and services effectively and equitably to all students. For each session listed below, you may attend the guided tour, the listening session, or both. Please register HERE so we can accommodate everyone.

At Mast Way School (23 Mast Rd, Lee)

Tuesday, January 6

Guided Tour: 6:00-6:45 p.m.

Listening Session: 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Saturday, January 10

Guided Tour: 9:00- 9:45 a.m.

Listening Session: 10:00-11:00 a.m.

Wednesday, January 28

Guided Tour: 6:00-6:45 p.m.

Listening Session: 7:00-8:00 p.m.

At Moharimet School (11 Lee Rd, Madbury)

Saturday, January 24

Guided Tour: 9:00- 9:45 a.m.

Listening Session: 10:00-11:00 a.m.

Monday, January 26

Guided Tour: 6:00-6:45 p.m.

Listening Session: 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Thursday, February 12

Guided Tour: 6:00-6:45 p.m.

Listening Session: 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Notice of Public Bond & Budget Hearing - January 14, 7:00 p.m. Morse Recital Hall at Oyster River Middle School (1 Coe Dr, Durham, NH 03824).The Oyster River Cooperative School Board will hold a Public Bond Hearing to discuss and consider incurring indebtedness for the following purpose: To finance renovations and additions at both elementary schools with a Bond Amount of $9,827,000. Immediately following the bond hearing, the Oyster River Cooperative School Board will hold a public budget hearing on the proposed 2026-2027 school budget in the Morse Recital Hall at Oyster River Middle School on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.

2026 School Board Openings and Warrant Deadline

Individuals wishing to file for a school district opening must do so between Wednesday, 1/21/26, and up until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, 1/30/26: one moderator position (1-year term) and two At-Large School Board members for the ensuing three years. There is no filing fee to register for placement on the ballot. Contact School District Clerk Susan Caswell at 603-550-2592 to set up a time to file, or Wendy DiFruscio at the SAU 603-389-3286 to make an appointment.

WARRANT DEADLINE: The deadline for submitting petitioned warrant articles for Session I of the Oyster River School District Annual Meeting is 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. All petitioned articles must be submitted in writing, signed by 25 or more registered voters from Durham, Lee, or Madbury and given to a school board member or delivered to the school district office (SAU #5, 36 Coe Drive, Durham). For additional information contact Wendy at the school district office at wdifruscio@orcsd.org, or by calling 603-389-3286.

Coming Events 

Please consider supporting Oyster River students and staff by attending the following exciting events in our schools! Our full calendar of events is available online.

January 12: ORMS/ORHS Jazz Bands and Guitar Ensemble Concert 6:00-7:30 p.m., Morse Recital Hall at Oyster River Middle School (1 Coe Dr, Durham, NH 03824)

ORMS Drama Performances (Newsies)

All performances are in the Auditorium at Oyster River High School (55 Coe Dr, Durham, NH 03824)

o       January 16, 7:00-3:30p.m.

o       January 17, 2:00-4:40 p.m.

o       January 17, 7:00-8:30p.m.

o       January 18, 2:00-3:30 p.m.

January 20: ORMS 5th Grade Concert 6:00-7:30 p.m., Morse Recital Hall at Oyster River Middle School (1 Coe Dr, Durham, NH 03824)

January 29: Moharimet 3rd Grade World Music Concert 6:30-7:30 p.m. Morse Recital Hall at Oyster River Middle School (1 Coe Dr, Durham, NH 03824)

January 29: ORHS Coffee House 6:00-8:00 p.m., MPR at Oyster River High School (55 Coe Dr, Durham, NH 03824). Coffee House celebrates the quarterly launch of the award-winning student publication Mouth of the River. The $5 admission can be purchased at the door and is one of MOR's primary fundraising sources. Food and drink are included with admission.