Friday Updates - January 20, 2023

Friday, January 20, 2023

Police Chief Rene Kelley reported on the annual meeting at the Police Department of all DPD personnel.  At the meeting a SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threat) analysis is undertaken.  This year, former Chief David Kurz returned to facilitate the discussion.  The Police Department continues to have phone issues, which are being resolved by the IT Department.  The problem is attributed to old equipment and connections provided by a prior provider – Bayring, which was acquired several times by other carriers.  A few residents have been cut off in mid-sentence calling the department for assistance - which is a significant problem! In addition, one of our new hybrid police cruisers is now in and being marked and outfitted for service.  Two additional hybrid police vehicles are on their way and are anticipated for a March/April deliver – fingers crossed!

Our emergency radio system for police, fire, and public works had a massive failure over the weekend.  A dish atop the Beech Hill tower failed.  The old system is being held together by "gum and band aids."  The new Land and Mobile Radio system is currently being readied for installation later this year – not a day too soon.  

Public Works Director Rich Reine noted that UNH is planning to reopen College Road by Monday if all goes well.  The Fire Department will exhale a sigh of relief.  The administrative Traffic Safety Committee this week heard a presentation from the NH Department of Transportation concerning various alternatives for the reconfiguration of the Madbury Road/Route 4 intersection.  Recall that Durham had petitioned the State to take action due to a long history of accidents at this location.  The leading solution appears to be a roundabout.  Other conceptual solutions included slight changes to the status quo, several iterations of an overpass with on- and off-ramps (yikes!), etc.  

Administrator Selig is having email server issues and has been unable to send messages for two days this week.  A real frustration! The IT Department is working to resolve. 

A group of international professionals from the US Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program hosted by the World Affairs Council of NH visited Durham on Wednesday of this week to meet with Mr. Selig to discuss issues around transparency and accountability in government. Participants and their translators were from Iraq, Tunisia, Egypt, Israel, and the Palestinian Territories.  

Jennie Berry began her service with the Town in July 1990 and next Friday, 1/27, will be her last day in the Administrator’s Office completing 33-years of service faithfully supporting the citizens of Durham. While the Town will be planning a more formal farewell for Jennie in April, in conjunction with a joint get-together for outgoing Town Clerk/Tax Collector Lorrie Pitt, who will be retiring after the March election, residents who want to stop by over the course of the next week are welcome to do so to offer Jennie their best wishes. 

Over her long tenure, Jennie has served members of the Town Council, hundreds of committee members, citizens, and five administrators – Ralph Freedman, Larry Brickner-Wood, Larry Shaffer, Ilene Healy, and Todd Selig. It is possible that after she settles into retirement, Jennie may still be available from time to time to assist the Town on a part-time basis for specific TBD tasks. Who knows!?

She has been the face and the voice of the Town for over a generation. We sincerely thank Jennie for her dedicated service to the community and wish her well in the years ahead!

A yearly Town of Durham Resident/Taxpayer Permit is required to access the Raymond A. LaRoche Sr. Transfer Station and Recycling Center at 100 Durham Point Road. 2023 permits are now available at the Durham Public Works main campus located at 100 Stone Quarry Drive or at the Durham Town Hall.

This Resident/Taxpayer Permit is free of charge and allows residents to dispose of municipal solid waste and recycling materials. (The disposal of bulky waste and construction debris is not covered by this permit and requires separate bulky waste coupons, which are available for purchase at Durham Public Works or the Transfer Station.)

Displaying the Resident/Taxpayer Permit also provides an additional hour of free parking for our downtown 1-hour free kiosk-controlled parking spaces such as in the University Market Lot or along Main Street in the general vicinity of Town & Campus, Clark's American Bistro, and Wildcat Pizza/JP's.

POSITIONS OPEN FOR MARCH 14, 2023 TOWN ELECTION - Filing period begins January 25.

The 2023 Town Election will be held on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at the Oyster River High School, Multipurpose Room, Coe Drive, Durham, N.H. The polling hours are 7:00am-7:00pm. 

Candidates interested in running for office should file their declaration at the Durham Town Clerk-Tax Collector’s Office starting on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, through Friday, February 3, 2023.

The following offices are open:

• Three positions for Town Councilor (3-year term)
• Two positions for Durham Public Library Board of Trustees (3-year term)
• One position for Durham Public Library Board of Trustees (1-year term)
• One position for Trustee of the Trust Funds (3-year term)
• One position for Town Clerk-Tax Collector (3-year term)
• One position for Town Treasurer (3-year term)

If you would like to learn more about any elective office, responsibilities, time commitments, etc. please give the Administrator's Office a call at (603) 858-5571 or write to kedwards@ci.durham.nh.us.

Oyster River and Old Landing from pedestrian bridge today. Courtesy, Todd Selig

NEED TO CHANGE YOUR VOTING STATUS OR REGISTER TO VOTE?

The Supervisors of the Checklist will hold the following session for the purpose of accepting new voters and for making changes in party, address, or name:

Tuesday, January 24, 2023 - 7:00 – 7:30 PM at the Durham Town Hall

This will be the last date for new voter registrations to be accepted before a new checklist will be printed for the Oyster River School District Deliberative Session on February 7. New registrations will not be accepted at the Deliberative Session but will still be accepted at the Town Hall through March 4 for the Town/School Election.

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

EVERSOURCE ENERGY PRICE DECREASE EXPECTED FOR FEBRUARY 1ST The cost of natural gas and electricity and all other home heating fuels continue to be high for people across the state due to increased global demand for gas and electricity. 

On February 1, an average customer that uses 600 kWh per month and has Eversource as their energy supplier, will see a decrease in their total bill by approximately 5.5% or $11. 

This is a result of the decrease in the energy supply rate from $0.22566 to $0.20221 per kWh and an adjustment to the Stranded Cost Recovery Charge from $0.00273 to $0.00718* per kWh. The energy supply cost continues to be the most significant factor impacting customers’ total monthly bills.  

In NH, the energy supply price changes twice a year – February 1 and August 1 – representing the cost that Eversource pays generators for the power that customers use. Eversource only charges customers what it pays generators for producing the power – it does not earn a profit on the cost of electricity. 

How much a customer pays will ultimately depend on how much energy is used, their rate category, and weather conditions. All Eversource customers have the option to buy their power from state-approved retail suppliers or to receive the energy company’s Default Service Rate. Customers can find out more information about retail supplier rates at the Department of Energy’s website.

Programs Offered to Help Energy Customers: 

• See how the weather impacts your bill and how small adjustments to your thermostat can help save with our Heating Cost Calculator. 
• Equalizing monthly energy bills to avoid seasonal spikes with Budget Billing. 
• Even if customers have never needed help before, they may now qualify for special programs to help lower their monthly bill, reduce a past due balance, or extended payment plans. 

Note as well that Durham is exploring potential membership in the Community Power Coalition of NH, which if it works successfully, would bring greener power to energy customers at no more, and hopefully less than, that offered by Eversource.

PUBLIC HEARING ANNOUNCEMENT FOR PROPOSED STRAFFORD COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OPERATING BUDGET FOR 2023

NOTICE is hereby given that a Public Hearing and Meeting before the Strafford County Delegation will be held on Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. in Superior Courtroom II, Second Floor of the William A. Grimes Justice and Administration Building, 259 County Farm Road, Dover, New Hampshire on the Strafford County Commissioners’ Proposed Operating Budget for 2023. The Public Hearing is to receive public input on the Proposed Operating Budget. A Public Meeting will be held after the Public Hearing to hear any other business that may legally come before the Delegation at that time.

Zoom access to the meeting is available by clicking HERE. (Meeting ID: 818 8121 0726 Passcode: 676481 or Dial by your location: +1 646 931 3860 US One tap mobile +16469313860,,81881210726#,,,,*676481# US)

To read the full public announcement and proposed budget click HERE. A printed copy of the proposed budget will be available in the lobby of the Town Hall.

Last week the Planning Board approved the establishment of five duplexes on Young Drive as two-unit condominiums. The conversion to, or creation of, a condominium is subject to Planning Board approval as this process is considered a “subdivision” under state law. The review, however, is limited in scope to potential issues of access, parking, common space, utilities, and any “red flags.” The board does not evaluate the structure of the condominium organization, for example, as that is a private matter.

Young Drive was subdivided in the 1960s and nine duplexes were built on separate parcels. Several lots remained vacant. The expectation was that the units would provide affordable family housing but it did not take long for the structures to be occupied primarily by undergraduate college students. Because Young Drive is a separate enclave located far from the university, the site became a notorious draw for unbridled partying. A particular low point that some residents may remember was the burning of a numerous couches, furniture, and wood in the middle of the street. Rioting also occurred on the street on several occasions, requiring brining in numerous area police departments and the state police to provide assistance. The Town worked together with the property owner to try to contain the bad behavior but doing so was a major challenge. Enforcement actions by the Town including several that were ultimately adjudicated by the courts (some resulting in settlements or NH Supreme Court decisions in Durham's favor) ultimately brought the property into compliance.

The site was eventually sold to an LLC in 2013 and the new owner sought to find a more congenial use for the property. An outside group subsequently submitted an application to demolish the duplexes and construct a very large senior housing project. A variance was needed for the height. A number of homeowners on adjacent Bayview Road and Beard’s Landing objected to the proposal due to its size and the variance was denied. 

There were several onerous requirements that had been imposed as part of the original subdivision and the Town was able to negotiate a satisfying creative arrangement: through a court settlement we agreed to eliminate some of those requirements and the owner agreed to include a provision in the deeds that stated, “No portion of this property/unit may be occupied by any undergraduate college student unless that student’s parent or legal guardian also occupies the same property/unit”. 

The owner then developed a new strategy to retain the duplexes, build more on the vacant lots, and convert all to condominiums. Some were skeptical about the appeal of the units for condominiums but the owner’s foresight was rewarded. All six units, for three duplexes, that were converted in 2018 were sold (in the range of $300,000). 

The project has brought a successful outcome for all: relatively affordable workforce housing for new homeowners, a profitable venture for the owner, a peaceful neighborhood for abutters, minimal challenges for the Town’s Fire, Police, and Code Enforcement departments, and increasing values for the Town Assessor who is especially pleased with the result.

This stone marker was found recently near the Mill Pond Dam. According to Nancy Sandberg, Curator of the Durham Historic Association, this historical artifact marks the “opening up of the Province of New Hampshire for settlement by forging a roadway from the head of tide of the Oyster River in Durham to Haverhill, NH.” The National Society of the Daughters of Colonial Wars was organized in Massachusetts in 1917 (the year that we entered World War I). Here is their website:  NSDCW. 

The state Division of Historical Resources has been informed about the marker and will work with the Town to ensure that it is protected during removal of the dam.

As an initiative to "pay it forward" and give back to the community, The Market & Cafe at Emery Farm has a Forward Friday program where they donate 10% of their Cafe Sales (Cafe Beverages, Donuts, Baked Goods, and Made to Order Bagels and Sandwiches) on Fridays. To nominate a charity to be included in this community giving program, please click HERE. 

People who live, work, and recreate in New Hampshire’s coastal communities are already experiencing impacts from high tide flooding. High tide flooding occurs several times a year when tidal waters flow above the natural landscape onto roadways, driveways, and yards, and interrupt daily routines. These tides offer a glimpse into what daily water levels could be like in the future as sea levels rise.

The Rising Tides Photo Contest is a unique opportunity to use photography to learn how places are already being impacted by high tide flooding and will be affected by rising sea levels. This year, the Rising Tides Photo Contest will focus on documenting higher-than-normal tides and showcasing the area’s resilient ecosystems, economies, infrastructure, and communities.

What to Enter: Photos must be taken during the contest period along New Hampshire's tidal shoreline. For tips on where to go, explore the 2023 Rising Tides Photo Contest Map. Additionally, photos must be entered into one of four contest categories:

• Picturing Change: Atlantic Coast
• Picturing Change: Great Bay
• Picturing Resilience: Atlantic Coast
• Picturing Resilience: Great Bay

Examples of eligible images in each category and a list of communities in each geographic area are available on the CAW website.

How to Enter: Photo entries must be submitted via the online entry form available on the CAW website during the Contest Submission Period, January 21-24, 2023. Entries submitted via mail, email, or social media will not be accepted.

Prizes: One winning entry will be selected in each of the four Contest Categories through a public voting process. The entries that receive the most votes by the end of the voting period on February 2, 2023, at 11:59 PM ET will win a $50 gift card to a local restaurant of the winner’s choosing.

CAW is excited to host guided flood tours during the contest period. These events will provide a guided opportunity to take photos of high tide flooding and learn about the impacts of sea level rise in your community from lived and diverse perspectives. Volunteer boards and municipal staff, technical assistance providers, natural resource professionals, researchers and students, elected officials, interested residents, community leaders, and Rising Tides Photo Contest participants are encouraged to participate. Stay tuned for more information and event registration coming soon.

Route 108 over the Oyster River on a snowy morning. Courtesy, Todd Selig

SAFETY TIPS FROM THE DURHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR YEAR-ROUND RESIDENTS AND UNH COLLEGE STUDENTS ALIKE

The recent and tragic deaths of four University of Idaho college students has brought great concern to UNH college students and their families. Although Durham, NH consistently falls within the top ten safest college towns, crime can happen anywhere. The Durham Police Department is dedicated to ensuring students feel as safe as possible in their homes and apartments.

In an effort to help students feel safe, if requested, an officer will check your off-campus house or apartment for any major safety concerns.

Additionally, Durham Police wants to remind residents of things you can do to increase your safety at your home/apartment:

1. Keep your doors and windows locked at all times
2. Do not answer the door for anyone you do not know
3. Add a security system or surveillance camera (Ring, trail camera, Nest)
4. Build in a nightly security routine to check all doors and windows to ensure they are locked
5. Call the police immediately if there is someone suspicious inside or around your home/apartment
6. Be cautious of what you post on social media
7. Talk to your landlord about their safety recommendations

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 #3

Now that we know to DIAL 911 FOR AN EMERGENCY and how important it is for YOU TO KNOW YOUR ADDRESS, we can start to put more together.

DO YOU HAVE AN ESCAPE PLAN?

Having an escape plan to get out of your house is important so you can get out as quick as possible. Most people commonly exit their homes from the most common or most used exit. It’s a great idea to have multiple ways to get out of the house if other ways are not possible.

Work as a family to come up with an escape plan for emergencies. Here is a helpful link from the Virginia Arlington County Fire Department Fire Prevention Office to design your own plan.

The Integrated Waste Management Advisory Committee (IWMAC) and the Durham Public Works staff are working on a variety of initiatives associated with reducing solid waste generation, increasing recycling participation, and supporting composting. A new “Sustainable Durham” branding campaign spearheaded by the IWMAC, but available for use for other sustainability-related initiatives, is under way for a 2023 launch. 

TIME TO BRANCH OUT? Trees put lawns in the shade when it comes to tackling climate crisis according to new article in The Guardian.

If a third of the world’s city lawns were planted with trees, it is estimated that more than a gigatonne of carbon could be removed from the atmosphere over two decades, researchers from Auckland University of Technology found. The problem is not the grass itself, but the mowing, fertilization and irrigation required.

The researchers reviewed 65 studies of emissions and sequestration of carbon by turf or lawn compared with trees. They concluded that, globally, the equivalent of 157 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per hectare could be avoided, and up to 1,630m tonnes of carbon absorbed from the atmosphere over 20 years if a third of mown grass in urbanized areas were planted with trees.

As climate breakdown drives more extreme weather, droughts have highlighted the irrigation demands of velvety turf. In response, anti-lawn and “rewilding” movements have seeded across the UK, with advocates pushing to replace the lawn with trees, shrubs or a more diverse mixture of unmown wildflowers and native grasses. In 2021, 30 UK councils adopted “No mow May” to encourage wildflower growth and natural pollinators. 

Prompted by the leadership of the Agricultural Commission, Durham has been encouraging a “No mow May” for several years. 

To read more in The Guardian, click HERE.

A snowy morning in Durham's Historic District. Courtesy Todd Selig

DURHAM PUBLIC WORKS WINTER MAINTENANCE UPDATE - DPW staff are ready to respond to address inclement weather conditions.

Durham Public Works is in the middle of their 10th emergency winter maintenance response of the season. The Snow and Ice Control Team has been hard at work since 7:00 PM last night (January 19th 2023) and anticipates completing the final road and sidewalk clean-up later this evening. While only 10.5” of snow has fallen in total this season (as of 01/16/23), 8.42” of liquid combined with periods of below freezing temperatures resulted in numerous responses for ice.

Durham Public Works is watching the latest operational weather forecast model guidance closely in regard to a deepening coastal storm in the Sunday evening through Monday timeframe. The system will bring widespread precipitation, strong winds, and perhaps coastal flooding during the Monday morning hide tide cycle depending on the eventual track as tides are running astronomically high.

The entire Snow and Ice Control Team is on stand-by for this probable response.

An overrunning precipitation event spanning 24 hours beginning last Sunday evening created several challenges for Durham Public Works staff members.

In addition to being short staffed as a result of Covid-19 illnesses, two (2) of the department’s six (6) front-line pieces of snow removal equipment experienced mechanical failures at the beginning of the storm.

Fleet Services Supervisor Mike McCrillis, who also serves as a primary snow removal equipment operator, was tasked with the removal and replacement of two (2) air brake canisters to make the equipment functional again. Mike performed exceptionally well, working from 11:00pm - 2:00am Monday morning to repair the equipment. Thank you, Mike!

The fiscal year 2023 budget includes the replacement of the existing 2008 International Combination Vacuum / Jet Rodder Truck, which has reached the end of its useful life.

The tank truck uses a pump and tank connected to a vacuum system and is designed to pneumatically suck liquids, solids and sludges.

The Vacuum / Jet Rodder Truck is a critical piece of equipment used in the daily operation of the wastewater collection system and is irreplaceable during sewer backups and water emergency responses. Sanitary Equipment Company of West Haven, CT visited the Wastewater Treatment Plant this week to provide a demonstration of a Vac-Con Titan Vacuum / Jet Rodder Truck.

The Public Works Team is in the process of finalizing the specification and bid package for the Edgewood Road sewer relining project extending from Madbury Road to the Sewer Interceptor near Strafford Avenue.  

The project includes approximately 2,100 feet of 8-inch and 15-inch sewer main and 10 manhole structures. A large portion of the pipeline is clay pipe that dates back to the 1940’s.

This area has been identified by Public Works as a high priority for repair following a CCTV inspection. The high degree of Infiltration and Inflow (I&I) experienced in this pipe line during high groundwater season and storm events results in the conveyance of these extraneous flows to the wastewater treatment plant and additional unnecessary treatment costs. 

The project is scheduled for construction to take place during the 2023 season.

DURHAM PUBLIC WORKS SEEKS PART-TIME TRANSFER STATION ATTENDANT WANTED - $17/HR

The Town of Durham in New Hampshire’s seacoast region is one of the most beautiful and desired locations in the State and is home to the University of New Hampshire. The Durham Public Works Department, a recognized leader in the Public Works field, is fully integrated and progressive using modern equipment and facilities to achieve its goals. The Department is seeking a highly qualified team member to join an exceptional team of Public Works professionals to serve in the role of Transfer Station Attendant.

The successful candidate will assist in the operation of the Raymond A. LaRoche, Sr. Transfer Station and Recycling Center during public open hours on Saturdays. The Transfer Station Attendant will frequently interact with residents to ensure that materials are placed in the proper receptacles and answers questions regarding solid waste and recycling. Additionally, the Attendant will perform general facility maintenance and cleaning as well as operates a skid steer and backhoe to transport/consolidate materials.

The salary for this part-time position is $17/hr.

The successful candidate will possess an NHDES Solid Waste Operator License or the ability to obtain within (6) months of hire.

Applications are available at the Department of Public Works Main office or online at www.ci.durham.nh.us/jobs.

Please send resume and completed application to Town of Durham, Department of Public Works, Attn: Shannon Shaw, Assistant to the Public Works Director, 100 Stone Quarry Drive, Durham, NH 03824 or by email to sshaw@ci.durham.nh.us.

Entrance to The Three Chimney's Inn earlier today. Courtesy Todd Selig

OYSTER RIVER COOPERATIVE SCHOOL NEWS

There is no school for students in Oyster River Schools on Monday, January 23, 2023 due to a teacher workday. ORHS Students are completing midterms this week. Spring semester starts next week.

The annual ORCSD Deliberative Session will be Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at 7:00 pm in the Middle School Concert Hall. This is a change in location from past years. The Deliberative Session is voters’ opportunity to discuss and amend items the School Board has recommended for the March local election. The two items for discussion will be the 2023-2024 school district budget and saving funds for future purchase of the ORMS solar array.

The Oyster River Sustainability Committee invites you to a community dinner on Thursday, February 2nd, 2023, to enjoy a delicious, locally and sustainably sourced spaghetti meal (each dinner also includes a side salad, beverage, and dessert) at the Oyster River High School cafeteria (55 Coe Dr, Durham, NH 03824). All are welcome! One bite, and you'll know why our students love their cafeteria so much! Kindly RSVP at by clicking HERE by Tuesday, January 31st, and let us know of any special dietary needs in the comments section.

Cost: $8 per adult or $20 per family (a family includes up to 2 adults and children living within the same household).

This is a great opportunity to learn about our district's commitment to sustainability, including food waste, food recovery, and sustainable practices such as composting. Presentation by high school students at 5:30 pm and representatives of local sustainability groups will be in attendance (Mr. Fox Composting, Three River Farms, local farmers, ORCSD's Sustainability Committee, etc.). Looking forward to seeing you there!

STATE MAKES CHANGES TO NH HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

You will find below an overview of changes made by Governor Sununu, Education Commissioner Edelblut, and the State Legislature. The change to graduation requirements is statewide and impacts all students graduating from high school within NH. 

Civics Instruction and Assessment: House Bill 157:1, effective July 1, 2023, requires students to pass a locally developed competency assessment in civics, and pass the naturalization examination developed by the 2020 United States Citizen and Immigration Services with a 70 percent or better, in order to graduate from high school. School districts will be required to submit the results of both tests by June 30th of each year to the NH DOE. 

What does this mean for students? Oyster River students will receive multiple opportunities to demonstrate their competency in both the locally developed assessment as well as the naturalization examination developed by the 2020 US Citizen and Immigration Services. These assessments will be given to most students in their junior year while they are enrolled in an already required course, Citizen Education. All students must pass both assessments to be eligible for graduation beginning in 2024. The Oyster River Social Studies Department has already made the necessary adjustments to accommodate the new requirements within the Citizen Education course. Juniors taking Citizen Education this year have been engaged in fulfilling their graduation requirement.  

Additions made to the state’s graduation requirements impact students throughout the state. The ORCSD indicates that Oyster River will continue to provide students with opportunities to build individualized programs of study that align with student interests as well as meeting all graduation requirements. 

The ORHS Girls and Boys Basketball Teams welcomes you to come and support your teams! $10 Season Pass, $3 per game, Seniors and Students Free.

All games are held in the Oyster River High School gymnasium at 55 Coe Drive, Durham, NH 03824. For more information and updated game schedules, please visit Oyster River High School (oysterriverathletics.org).

The Museum of Art at the University of New Hampshire is pleased to present Dinh Q. Lê: Fragile Springs, on view at the Museum of Art at the University of New Hampshire January 26 – February 20, 2023. The public is invited to a free opening reception on Thursday, January 26, 4:00-6:00pm. All programs are open to the public and free of charge.

Dinh Q. Lê’s work and art practice revolve around the themes of identity, history, and memory, which span various mediums from his well-known woven photographs and tapestries to handmade paper, and video and mixedmedia installations that question the reception and consumption of images and how visual culture may inform a national identity. Lê and his family left Vietnam in 1978 and lived in refugee camps in Thailand before relocating to the United States. In California where he lived and went to art school, Lê was sparked by the prevailing perceptions of the Vietnam War and its lingering consequences on the Vietnamese people.

Dinh Q. Lê was invited to the LeRoy Neiman Center for Print Studies at the School of the Arts at Columbia University in 2011 to collaborate with Gregory Santos on an edition of prints inspired by the September 2011 Occupy Wall Street movement along with other concurrent international protest movements. The result is Fragile Springs, a portfolio of 10 screenprints with varnish all on view in the At the Museum of Art. The portfolio was purchased in 2021 by Museum of Art for the Permanent Collection.

Ten countries are the subjects of Fragile Springs: Burma, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Thailand, Tibet, Tunisia, Ukraine, Vietnam, and Yemen. Of the collaboration and creative process, Lê comments: “Occupy Wall Street was in the air and the revolutions and protest in the Middle East were still happening and Libya had finally gotten rid of Gaddafi. In Vietnam the young people were learning how to protest again and to make their voices heard. I spent time that weekend browsing around on the Internet and became intrigued by how each revolution had been assigned a name and a color. There was the Orange Revolution in Ukraine, the Green Revolution in Iran, the Pink Revolution in Yemen, the Red Revolution in Thailand, and the Saffron Revolution in Burma. It was interesting to see how the use of a single color gave such a collective sense to each movement. But I also kept asking myself: Who are the people in the crowd? Whom do I look for that I can connect to somehow? When you look at a crowd, you always look for the one person whom you connect to.”

Fragile Springs is on view in collaboration with the Global Racial and Social Inequality Lab (GRSIL) at the University of New Hampshire. GRSIL is envisioned as a dynamic site of research, pedagogical activity, and community engagement. Learn more about GRSIL by clicking HERE.

Would you like to bring a group to explore Fragile Springs? Contact Education and Outreach Manager Molly Bolick to discuss experiential learning opportunities for groups and classes. Molly.bolick@unh.edu