Friday Updates - July 11, 2025

Friday, July 11, 2025

A beautiful day at Wagon Hill Farm Courtesy, Jean McPeak

TOWN COUNCIL GOALS FOR 2025-2026 COMPLETED

At the June 16, 2025 meeting, the Town Council completed their goals for 2025-2026. They can be seen HERE.

Every year the Town Council develops and approves goals that will guide Town Staff, boards and committees, and the Council itself in the coming year. Some goals are intended to span a longer horizon and so remain on the list from year to year.

TOWN COUNCIL ADOPTS RESOLUTION REAFFIRMING TOWN'S COMMITMENT OF POLICE AND LEGAL PROTECTIONS

At the July 7, 2025 meeting, the Town Council adopted Resolution #2025-15 reaffirming the Town's obligation and commitment of police and legal protections for all Durham residents and visitors.

You can read the full resolution HERE.

2025 COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY NOW AVAILABLE

The Strafford Regional Planning Commission Economic Development District (EDD) Board of Directors has adopted the 2025 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) One-Year Update. The CEDS contains an analysis of the region’s economy and provides updates on goals, strategies, and priority projects for implementation.

The adopted 2025 CEDS One-Year Update can be accessed HERE.

CPCNH ANNOUNCES AN INCREASE IN ELECTRICITY RATES FOR AUGUST – JANUARY

On Thursday June 26, 2025, the CPCNH Board of Directors approved a rate adjustment that will go into effect starting August 1, 2025 through January 31, 2025. For Eversource served customers in Durham, the CPCNH rate increase is 38.4% while the Eversource rate increased 25.4%. For comparison, the other NH utilities are shown in the chart below:

Why are rates going up?

The electricity market is driven by factors such as the regional and global price of natural gas and other fossil fuels, availability of fuel and electricity supply, customer demand, and weather events. New England’s electricity market is heavily dependent on the price of natural gas, which is driven by global market trends and can react with volatility to geopolitical events around the world.

Some utility rates include partial adders to collect prior period losses (e.g. Liberty), while some losses have been deferred for collection in future periods (Eversource). As a result of engagement across the CPCNH membership communities and CPCNH testimony, the PUC recently ruled that utility under-collections must be recovered in utility supply rates and not as added charges to Community Power and market customers.

Over the past six months, CPCNH personnel have made significant technical improvements to core power resources and financial systems. This has improved the functionality and accuracy of the systems and tools used for load forecasting, financial modeling, cost of service analysis, and rate setting.

• Improvements to the load forecast model enable more accurate predictions of the patterns of customer electricity usage over time, enabling more precise energy purchasing and portfolio management.
• The improved load forecast connects to a newly constructed probabilistic cash flow model to create a clear view of CPCNH’s financial position and outlook across multiple possible scenarios.
• Then a cost-of-service analysis is conducted to create a detailed understanding of all cost drivers. Costs are then allocated across different customer classes (e.g., residential vs. general service) and utility territories to ensure fair cost allocation and to minimize cost shifting.
• The resulting rate setting scenarios from these improved technical systems ensure informed decision-making and that rates will cover costs.

What are cost-of-service rates?

As a result of the detailed cost analysis, CPCNH has more accurate view of the difference in residential costs across utility territories, and thus has set slightly different rates for each utility. This difference is primarily driven by varying “energy capacity costs”, which are charged to CPCNH by ISO New England to ensure sufficient generating capacity for each territory. CPCNH follows cost causation principles, meaning customers should pay for costs associated with serving them and not those associated with serving other customers. Cost of service rates ensure fair treatment of customers and equitable contributions to joint reserves by different member cities and towns.

What are the components of the CPCNH rate?

Rates for the upcoming period are set to cover a forecasted total of $96,829,495 in costs, including:

• 86.4% energy supply ($83,628,968)
• 8.6% contribution to members’ joint reserves ($8,370,236)
• 5.0% operating expense ($4,830,291)

Members’ joint reserves are used to buffer sudden price increases (such as the impact of our cold winter), ensure long-term financial stability, and enable members to finance local energy investments to increase energy independence, such as the Poverty Plains solar array scheduled for service in the summer of 2026. CPCNH aims to meet minimum reserve targets to cover 60 days of expenses within 3-years.

To view the full announcement of the CPCNH rates, click HERE.

As always, Durham residents can make changes to their power supply plan by going to the Durham Community Power website HERE or calling 1-866-603-7697 (POWR). 

The project team continues to make steady progress on the three active phases of the Madbury Road Complete Streets Project. Detailed updates on each phase can be found below:

Phase 1 - This phase includes the Littlehale Creek culvert replacement of two significantly large culverts carrying Littlehale Creek under Madbury Road and Edgewood Road. It is substantially complete, with final paving expected over the next month.

Phase 2 - This phase is split into two segments:

• Segment 1, between Pettee Brook Lane and Garrison Avenue, is nearing completion. Remaining work includes miscellaneous stone masonry punch-list items, top course paving, and line striping. We anticipate completion of these tasks within the next month, with final paving to align with Segment 2. 
• Segment 2, from Main Street to Pettee Brook Lane, includes continuation of the multi-use path, sidewalk and curbing work, stormwater system improvements, streetscape and traffic calming elements, and the Pettee Brook culvert repair. Construction is ongoing, with remaining work including sidewalk construction on the western side, Main Street / Madbury Road pedestrian crossing improvements, the Pettee Brook culvert repair, and paving, continuing through August. The Pettee Brook culvert repair will involve the excavation and replacement of a portion of the structure's top concrete slab. This will require a full closure of the southbound lane of Madbury Road at the culvert for approximately one week, with daily closures of the northbound lane for construction equipment to stage. A full detour package, similar to last Summer's route, will be in place for motorists. This project is currently expected to begin on July 21st. 

Phase 3 - This phase, from Garrison Avenue to Edgewood Road, includes water main replacement between Maple Street and U.S. Route 4. The water main replacement work will continue through the end of the month, with construction activity focused on the northern third of the corridor. Additional roadway work includes extension of the multi-use path, a new sidewalk on the west side, stormwater system upgrades (nearly complete), traffic calming median islands, hardscape and streetscape enhancements, and full roadway reconstruction. The roadway portion of this phase will continue through the Fall, with final paving and landscaping scheduled for Spring 2026.

Durham Public Works greatly appreciates the continued patience of the residents and other stakeholders within the project limits as they work to complete these necessary infrastructure improvements and beautify Madbury Road.

Deputy Chief David Holmstock will retire on July 16, 2025, from the Durham Police Department, culminating an exceptional career spanning more than three decades in New Hampshire law enforcement. Over his 36-year tenure, Deputy Chief Holmstock has served in numerous leadership roles, including as Cadre member of the 113th New Hampshire Police Academy staff, supervisor of the Detective Division, Accreditation Manager, and supervisor of all patrol operations. A graduate of the FBI National Academy (224th Session) and the Homeland Security Leadership Academy (2nd Session), he further strengthened his professional credentials by completing the DEA Drug Unit Commander Academy, DEA’s Group Supervisor School, and the New England Institute of Law Enforcement Management at Babson College. He also holds a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership and Management.

His commitment to developing the next generation of law enforcement professionals extended into higher education, where he served as an adjunct professor of Criminal Justice at McIntosh College and as an adjunct professor at the School of Human Services at Springfield College. His expertise as a defensive tactics instructor and trainer in all less-lethal mediums has benefited not only his fellow officers in Durham but also countless recruits at the New Hampshire Police Academy and the New Hampshire Police Cadet Training Academy.

Deputy Chief Holmstock’s career reflects a dedication to public safety and organizational excellence. His leadership has strengthened departmental operations, enhanced investigative capabilities, and supported the professional growth of those under his command. Known for his integrity, steady guidance, and passion for service, Deputy Chief Holmstock leaves behind a legacy of mentorship and community-focused policing that will continue to shape the Durham Police Department for years to come. His retirement marks the close of a distinguished chapter defined by dedication, expertise, and an unwavering commitment to the people of Durham and the broader law enforcement community across New Hampshire.

ZONING AND REGULATORY INITIATIVES BEFORE THE PLANNING BOARD AND TOWN COUNCIL 

There are numerous initiatives in the works involving changes to the zoning ordinance.

Multi-unit residential – Adopted. A proposal to allow multi-use residential (multifamily/apartments) in the Professional Office, Church Hill, and Courthouse Districts was adopted by the Town Council on July 7. The existing height limit in those zones of 30 feet (or 35 feet by conditional use, accommodating a three-story building) is not changing. You can see more information HERE. 

Building height – Public Hearing. A proposal to increase the height of a section of the Central Business District from three stories to four stories by right and five stories by conditional use, the existing standard in 1/2 of the district, was supported by the Planning Board. The Town Council is holding a public hearing on Monday, August 4 after continuing the public hearing of July 7.  You can see more information HERE.

Lodging Houses – Public Hearing. The Town Council is holding a public hearing on Monday, August 4 regarding a proposal to allow Lodging Houses in the Professional Office, Church Hill, and Courthouse districts. This amendment, initiated by the Planning Board, is driven by changes in Concord that are creating challenges to regulate occupancy of unrelated residents in single family houses and protect the neighborhoods. Incorporating lodging houses, as defined in the State Fire Code, into the ordinance will allow the Town to continue regulating occupancy but in a different manner. You can see more information HERE.

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations – to be presented. The Energy Committee has prepared a proposal to require electric vehicle charging stations be provided as part of new development. Their plan will be presented to the Planning Board on July 23. The format will need to be revised to fit into the Site Plan Regulations. You can see the proposal HERE.

Wetland and Shoreland Ordinance – to be presented. The Conservation Commission just completed a significant rewrite of the Wetland Conservation Overlay District and the Shoreland Protection Overlay District. The districts have been combined into one new Wetland and Shoreland Overlay District and numerous revisions have been made including changing the buffers from wetlands and shorelands. The proposal will be presented to the Planning Board on August 13. The board may post the proposal for a public hearing after that meeting, or it may take numerous meetings to revise the draft first. You can see more information HERE.

Residential changes – to be presented. The Housing Task Force has prepared significant changes to various sections of the zoning ordinance to enhance opportunities for housing and residential development. The proposal will be presented to the Planning Board soon as time allows. The board may post the proposal for a public hearing, or it may take numerous meetings to revise the draft first. You can see more information HERE.

Conservation Subdivision Ordinance – under review. The Planning Board is considering changes to the Conservation Subdivision ordinance. The proposal is only in the discussion phase now. You can see more information HERE.

Current Projects. You can see all current proposals before the Planning Board HERE. Feel free to contact Michael Behrendt, Durham Town Planner, with any questions at mbehrendt@ci.durham.nh.us.

FOOD TOGETHER DURHAM SURVEY RESULTS AND IDEAS FOR FUTURE INITIATIVES

The Durham Agricultural Commission would like to thank those who participated in its recent survey related to its Food Together Durham initiative. It received 198 responses, and 133 respondents indicated that they would like to see more residents growing food in Durham. The types of food that they would like to see grown locally are vegetables (98 respondents), fruit (65), eggs (26), herbs (18), and meat (8).

One hundred thirty-two residents answered that they would be willing to participate if residents in their neighborhood are interested in combining resources to grow food as a group. Many of them also indicated that they would be willing to contribute time (98 respondents), money (64), tools and equipment (61) knowledge (49), and land (35) to their neighborhood’s effort to grow food together.

There is a group in Durham that is already growing food collaboratively in their neighborhood. They are doing it on Dave Langley’s property on Longmarsh Road. Dave is a member of the Durham Agricultural Commission, and he is willing to share information on his group’s activities, and answer questions. Dave’s email address is davelangleydesign@comcast.net. There will be a tour of Dave’s neighborhood garden on Durham Farm Day, Saturday, August 16th, rain or shine. The tour will begin at 11 a.m.

The Durham Agricultural Commission is looking for other residents who are willing to try collaborating with their neighbors to grow food. It is planning to hold a future meeting to exchange ideas with residents on how to get things started and advance the Food Together Durham initiative. The meeting details will be announced in a future Friday Updates.

Daylilies Courtesy, Todd Selig

SWAP SHOP MAY CLOSE ON 90+ DEGREE DAYS 

The Swap Shop will have limited hours (9AM-12AM) or be closed on days that have temperatures above 90 degrees. We value our volunteers and their time and willingness to work in all kinds of weather. However, on hot days, we do not expect our volunteers to work for hours atop asphalt with no escape from high temperatures except a few fans in our building. 

We will attempt to let you know when we will limit our hours or close via Friday Updates, the Swap Shop Facebook page, and the Community Discussion Group Facebook page.

Thank you for your understanding!

HOLIDAY BONANZA AT THE SWAP SHOP! - Come get your holiday decorations now!

The Swap Shop is having a Christmas, Hanukkah, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Easter, etc. in July Bonanza! We are unable to store holiday items that have been brought in, and we know that there are holiday decorations that many of you would like to bring to the Swap Shop now. So, we will be taking and displaying all holiday items on days that have a RAIN FREE FORECAST through the rest of the month of July. After July, the Swap Shop will only take items within 2 months of their corresponding holidays. 

We look forward to celebrating all of the holidays with you in July!

The Plastic Free July campaign is well underway. If everyone takes a step to change even one small habit to cut back on plastic pollution, it will collectively make a big difference to our community and waterways.

Throughout the month of July, we will suggest easy ways to cut back on plastic waste.  Here are some of our suggestions for this week:

Swap liquid soap in plastic containers with bar soap.

Bar soap is an easy alternative to liquid soap. However, if you choose to use liquid soap, reuse your container by refilling it with liquid soap from places like the Replenish Refillery in Dover, the Refill Station in Portsmouth and We Fill Good in Kittery.

Choose loose tea.

Loose tea leaves are completely compostable, and a better option than tea in nylon tea bags. Nylon is a type of plastic and nylon teabags, an/or nylon strings are considered plastic waste and are not recyclable or compostable with Mr. Fox at the transfer station.

Avoid pre-packaged produce.

This is a challenge, since so many items are wrapped in plastic in our grocery stores. Do what you can by bringing your own reusable produce bags.  They are inexpensive to purchase and can be used over and over again. When possible, buy loose produce rather than packaged. 

Even better, bring your reusable produce bags to our local Durham Farmer’s Market (open Monday afternoons), or Emery Farm and purchase local produce there!

Avoid plastic wrap.

Instead of putting plastic wrap on a dish of leftovers, switch to storing food in reusable containers. Also, reusable fabric covers are great and come in multiple sizes. Just pop the fabric covers in the wash after each use. You can buy these fabric covers at places like the Replenish Refillery in Dover, the Refill Station in Portsmouth and We Fill Good in Kittery. You can also purchase them online.

Choose plastic-free packaging.

As mentioned above, plastic packaging is everywhere, especially in the grocery store! When you have the choice, choose to buy your items in glass, can or paper containers. 

Source: PlasticfreeJuly.org

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.

This one-acre site overlooking Mill Pond, donated to the Town by Margery and Lorus Milne, is a peaceful and welcoming enclave downtown at the end of the Faculty neighborhood. Pollinators, birds, insects and other wildlife love this spot and all its native plants. 

Find out more about on our Town webpage HERE. 

CLARIFICATION ON THE BLUE FLAME HOURS OF OPERATION

There is a new restaurant at 56 Main Street, The Blue Flame, “serving up hearty dinners four nights a week, along with a classic weekend brunch buffet.” We included a short piece about The Blue Flame a few weeks ago but there appears to have been some confusion about their hours, so we want to re-post them here.

Dinner: Wednesday from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm and Thursday through Saturday from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

Happy Hour: Wednesday through Saturday from 4:00 pm to 6;00 pm.

Weekend Brunch: Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Late Night Brunch: Returns in August.

Take a look at their website here for the menu and entertainment HERE.

On Monday, Tyler Thomson of Dover Roofing Company delivered a fully catered lunch to the staff of the Durham Police Department. He was joined by employees and their family members.

Tyler explained to Chief Kelley that his decision to provide lunch came after hearing about a recent interaction one of his employees had with a Durham officer. The officer’s calm and professional demeanor helped put the employee at ease, turning what could have been a stressful and complicated situation into one that was resolved smoothly and without incident.

Wanting to show appreciation, Tyler arranged to have lunch delivered for the officers on duty. Comfort dog “Jet” also stopped by to make sure no food fell on the floor—and to quickly take care of any that did!

FIRE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The Durham Fire Department is currently accepting applications to fill the following positions:

Firefighter/EMT. For further information, click HERE.

Administrative Assistant - Full Time. For further information, click HERE.

Applications will be reviewed as submitted. Positions will remain open until filled.

RIGHT-OF-WAY VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

Durham Public Works’ Highway Division continues to progress on roadside vegetation management program activities. This portion of the program efficiently manages vegetation through the use of a specialized mulching head operated from the division’s rubber-tired excavator.

Roadside mowing helps to improve visibility and safety for multi-modal transportation and pedestrians by improving sightlines. Further, properly managed vegetation helps to ensure that drainage conveyances remain free of obstructions, and it can allow more sunlight to reach the roadway, reducing ice formation during the winter months.

The Team focused on areas with poor sightlines at busy intersections this week. A copy of Durham Public Works' Right of Way Vegetation Management Standard Operating Procedures, along with the 2025 Special Permit and Interactive Map indicating areas of chemical treatment, can be viewed HERE.

Protect our community’s outdoor playgrounds for yourself, your pooch, and our environment. Add your name and our Town in the form HERE and take the pledge to scoop the poop, every time. Did you know that NHDES reports out which Towns have received the most pledges!? Please help us to show how much our community cares. Also, if you see that someone has left their pooch’s poop behind, please pick it up!

As a reminder Durham Ordinance #2018-5 and Chapter 49 of the Town Code requires the removal of dog excrement/feces. 1st offense is $25, 2nd offense is $50 and 3rd offense is $150.

OYSTER RIVER SCHOOL NEWS

Summer Nutrition Programs

Oyster River families in need of assistance during the summer months can contact End 68 Hours of Hunger HERE and Community Action Partnership of Strafford County HERE.

Summer Hours Between June 23 and August 22

The SAU office summer hours are Monday to Thursday, 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The SAU and schools will be closed on July 4 in observance of Independence Day.

The schools' summer hours are:

• Mast Way School: Tuesday to Thursday, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• Moharimet School: Tuesday to Thursday, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• Oyster River Middle School: Monday to Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 
• Oyster River High School: Monday to Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

ORCSD School Board Updates

ORCSD school board meetings recordings are available on the ORCSD YouTube channel HERE, and the agendas and minutes are available HERE. School board meetings are live streamed on the ORCSD Streaming channel HERE.