Friday Updates - June 25, 2021

Friday, June 25, 2021

DURHAM TOWN SEAL/TOWN LANDING PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT

The Durham Town Seal (see header above) is an “idealized depiction” of a view looking east and down the Oyster River from Town Landing. Prominent features include a Gundalow, Durham Town Landing, and a sunrise in the eastern horizon. While the granite block retaining wall has has been there for over 100 years, the mountains in the far distance are “imagined”. The two houses are still present, but now obscured by trees.  

Beginning in May 2020, Lee Alexander and Todd Selig started working on a photography project that attempted to duplicate what is shown in the Town Seal. To to achieve a true perspective and contents, the photo shoot location was the pedestrian bridge that is adjacent to Route 108 (Newmarket Rd). 

Instead of a gundalow, Lee has an antique sailing canoe that has same type of sail (called a lateen rig) that was used by gundalows. Purchase by his father in 1924, the Carlton Canoe was constructed in Old Town, Maine. Lee spent several months during the summer of 2019 restoring the canoe.

In order to achieve what is depicted in the Durham Town Seal, several conditions must occur --all simultaneously.  

• The only time period of the year when the sunrise is aligned with the Oyster River is sometime two weeks before or after summer solstice (June 21st). During this time period the sunrise occurs at 5:08 AM!
• The morning needs to be clear and calm.
• The timing of the photo shoot must occur 2-3 hours either side of high tide so that the sailing canoe can be in the right location in the Oyster River.

After three different “trial runs”, all the necessary conditions finally occurred last Friday (June 18th).  

• For several reasons, the photo above (by Todd) is considered the “truest” depiction of the Town Seal.
• the extent and scope of the key landscape features at Town Landing 
• the location of the rising sun in relation to its alignment to the Oyster River 
• the prominence of the sun rays
• the location and size of the sailing canoe in the river in relation to the surrounding area.

A thank you is extended to Lee for all of his work on and dedication to this fun and interesting project!

GUNDALOW INTERPRETATIVE PANELS COMING TO DURHAM TOWN HALL LOBBY FOR VIEWING

At a 2019 meeting of the Great Bay-Piscataqua Waterkeeper, of which Administrator Selig is a member, the director of the Gundalow Company mentioned to the group that the wonderful display illustrating the history of the Gundalow in the warehouse would have to be packed away for the season to allow for another group to provide displays. Mr. Selig suggested that the display potentially be moved to the beautiful foyer of the Durham Town Hall. This was actually undertaken in 2019 … and it will return this summer as well!

Last week, the Gundalow Company's Executive Director, Richard Clyborne, communicated with Mr. Selig and Public Works Director Rich Reine regarding bringing the panels back to Durham.

We are pleased to announce that the panels will be arriving sometime within the next week. We invite residents visiting the Town Hall to take the time to view the display.

As you know, Durham has a deep and important connection to the Gundalow and the Estuary, which is featured prominently on our town seal.

INFORMAL INDEPENDENCE DAY GATHERING IN MEMORIAL PARK PLANNED FOR 10 AM SUNDAY, JULY 4TH 

A group of residents have expressed an interest in an informal gathering on July 4th in Durham in Memorial Park at 10 AM. Anyone interested in participating is welcome to bring/carry an American Flag to celebrate Independence Day for a short presentation by residents in the park.

PETER ANDERSEN'S FIRST ANNUAL MOVING ON BLOCK PARTY/MUSIC FESTIVAL

COVID has had its impacts on everyone and how society operates. Durham resident Peter Andersen would like to celebrate the fact that life is starting to go back to normal and is hosting a block party, with a music festival feeling, where he indicates everyone in the community is welcome to attend!

There will be:

JAZZ MUSIC - Four different acts

FOOD: Coconut shrimp, steak tips, and hamburgers

BEER: Sam Summer on tap (please no BYOB)

Date, Time, and Location

Saturday, June 26, 2021

12 Noon - 7PM

8 Chesley Drive, Durham

• Bring your own chair if you can!
• Parking will be downtown and walk to 8 Chesley Drive.

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE TOWN CLERK-TAX COLLECTOR'S OFFICE 

The Town Clerk-Tax Collector’s office is now fully open to the public. No appointment is necessary. Please visit us between the hours of 8:00am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday. We are open until 6:00pm the first Monday of every month, excluding holidays. Friendly reminders from our office:

Tax Bills: Due July 1, 2021. The first half for 2021 was mailed on May 25, 2021 and it is due by July 1, 2021. Taxes are billed bi-annually.

Water/Sewer Bills: Past Due. The second bill for 2021 was mailed on May 11, 2021 and was due on June 11, 2021. Water and sewer is billed quarterly.

Dog Licenses: Past Due. Dog licenses must be renewed each year by April 30. Please note that late fees began accruing on June 1, 2021. If this is your first time licensing your dog in Durham, please provide the clerk’s office with a copy of your dog's rabies certificate.

Questions may be directed to the Town-Clerk-Tax Collector’s office at 603-868-5577.

PLANNED COE DRIVE DAILY ROAD CLOSURE - June/July 2021, 7AM - 5PM, for 5-10 Days

The contractors for the new Oyster River Middle School project are working with the Durham DPW and Police Departments and have requested a road closure during the workday to efficiently work on the sidewalk. The closure will only be used when needed on the days when heavy equipment will be working on the uphill lane and sidewalk area.

At all times, access to the homes on Coe Drive will be available via the private road parallel to the hill on Coe Drive.

Signage will be present at either end of the closure to redirect through traffic, so the private road does not become a through travel path.

On some days, a road closure will be the quickest and safest way to get the work done and restore Coe Drive traffic. It is anticipated that the Coe Drive work will be done this summer while school is closed, and traffic is light in the area.

DON'T FORGET TO APPLY FOR YOUR SOLAR EXEMPTION - A reminder from Assessor Jim Rice.

While inspecting properties for improvements/renovations, it has been noted that several property owners in Durham who have installed solar equipment have not applied for their solar exemption.

If you own property in Durham and have recently installed, upgraded or replaced a “solar energy system” that utilizes solar energy to heat or cool the interior of your building; heat water or to provide electricity, you may qualify for a solar exemption. If you are already receiving a solar exemption, you do not need to reapply.  

The Town of Durham adopted the Exemption for Solar Systems per RSA 72:62 where you may qualify for a solar exemption from your property tax assessment.

To qualify for this exemption, you must submit a PA-29 exemption application by April 15, 2020. Applications are located on the Town’s website or you may pick one up at the Assessor’s Office. Your application must also include the total installation cost and a detailed list of what equipment was installed on your property. 

If approved, this exemption will be applied to your assessment.

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

PART-TIME TRANSFER STATION ATTENDANT

The Town of Durham is looking for a part time Transfer Station Attendant.  The position is part time, non-benefits.  Applicants must be comfortable dealing with public and have a Solid Waste Operators License, level 1 minimum or the ability to obtain license within 2 months of hire.  Duties include checking in residents, ensuring materials are disposed of in proper locations, ability to operate a loader and skid steer, maintenance and cleaning of facility.  Pay $14-$17/Hr based on experience.  Hours will be Saturday from 7am-3:30pm, potential for more hours.  Valid driver’s license, background check will be performed.  Applications accepted until the position is filled.      

Applications are available at the Public Works Office, contact below:

Janice Richard

Assistant to the Director

100 Stone Quarry Drive

Durham, NH  03824

868-5578

POLICE WILL CHECK ON HOMES WHILE RESIDENTS ARE AWAY

With summer here and vacations planned, Police Chief Rene Kelley would like to take this opportunity to let residents know that while you are away, Durham Officers will check your home to ensure everything is just as you left it. To get your home on the Durham house check list, simply call the department at (603) 868-2324 during normal business hours. The women and men of the Durham Police Department wish you all a safe and happy summer season.

LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE DOES NOT APPROVE BILL THAT WOULD HAVE ALLOWED VIRTUAL MEETINGS

The committee of conference on HB 108 has approved an amended version of the bill that does not allow for the continued use of virtual meetings where the entire board could participate virtually. 

The bill as amended by the Senate (and co-sponsored by Senator Rebecca Perkins-Kwoka in part on behalf of Durham), would have authorized the continued use of full virtual meetings by public bodies, using the same process that proved so useful during the recent pandemic state of emergency. The Senate conferees argued hard to keep that section in the bill, but House members apparently did not budge; so it was removed and replaced with a section that merely creates a legislative committee to study virtual meetings. New legislation may be filed next year, but for this year, the issue is dead. 

SOMETIMES FREEDOM OF SPEECH CAN HAVE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES – Neighborhood signage conveys negative message to UNH students.

Mr. Selig received a concerned call from Durham resident Marjorie Wolfson this week expressing concern about the many yard signs around town opposing the Mill Plaza redevelopment. She is not the first person to have brought this to his attention. Marjorie said she recently spoke with a UNH student she knows who expressed concern about the signs and their impact on students at the University. The UNH student, and apparently many other students this person knows as well, interpret the signs as conveying that UNH students are not wanted, not welcome, and are not part of Durham at all. The student and her friends feel intimated straying off campus into any neighborhoods with them up. The student conveyed that she believes residents think students are not “community friendly.” The student indicated that at the end of the semester and this summer, as the signs have gone up, she and her friends basically stopped going downtown. They go elsewhere to shop and do business. They don’t feel a part of or connection to the Town.  

Marjorie noted the many, many ways in which students enhance the Town of Durham. While some students do behave poorly or make poor choices, she indicated this is a minority of them, and that the vast majority of students are responsible residents/members of the community. Marjorie suggested Mr. Selig put something in the Friday Updates this week to bring the unintended impact of these signs to the attention of the community because many people who display them probably have no idea of the message they convey to students, with whom the Town has worked over many years to develop productive and inclusive partnerships.  

Our local Durham business community is also aware of the value of fostering a positive relationship with students attending the University of New Hampshire who live, support, and vote in Durham. 

TOWN/SCHOOL OFFICIALS FINE TUNE TRAFFIC PATTERN IMPROVEMENTS AROUND EXISTING/NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL

Durham and ORCSD officials, staff, and traffic engineers are continuing to refine traffic patterns and eliminate safety concerns with the existing and future conditions at the Oyster River Middle School on Dennison Road. 

Any parent or visitor who has had to navigate the triple-stacked drop off/pick up that presently exists at the start and end of middle school each day along Dennison, Coe Drive, and Garrison inherently understands that improvements are long overdue. 

The new Oyster River Middle School project under construction provides the opportunity for the ORCSD and Durham to partner in addressing these concerns in a manner that takes into consideration inexperienced schoolchildren, pedestrians, cars, bicycles, school busses, rushed parents, a changing middle school site, and neighborhood traffic and integrates these external off-site roadway/sidewalk/pedestrian/bicycle elements seamlessly with the soon to be internal middle school entrances/exits/drop off locations/bus patterns. 

The Durham/ORCSD team have finalized a plan for implementation this fall and are moving forward. A presentation will be provided to the Town Council at its July 12th meeting.  

In summary, traffic flow on Dennison in front of the existing Middle School will be reversed. Traffic flow on Garrison Avenue between Madbury Road and Dennison will be reversed. The short stretch of Dennison Road between Garrison and Coe Drive will become two-way. Some sidewalks, corners, curbing, parking striping, drainage, etc. will need to be reconfigured. More details to follow when plans are in hand.  

ABNORMALLY DRY WEATHER CONDITIONS PERSIST – Residents, Businesses and Institutions are encouraged to practice wise water use where possible

The NH Monthly Drought Outlook for June, July, and August indicates drought conditions will persist in the areas currently experiencing drought, which include small portions of Coos County, Grafton County, and Sullivan County. As depicted in the figure below, Durham is located in an area of the state which continues to experience abnormally dry conditions. The prediction is considered to be of moderate certainty as temperatures are expected to be above normal, which has a drying effect. 

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services and the town also encourage those relying on private residential wells to begin conserving now. Due to COVID-19, people are at home more often, which means a higher than usual demand on residential well supplies. To protect your well supply, it is recommended that outdoor water use be limited and water use be staggered, allowing the well time to recharge between demands. As drought conditions develop, more municipalities and water utilities will impose outdoor water use restrictions. 

Through many years of deliberate planning and strategic investments, the Town of Durham and the University of New Hampshire have developed an exceptionally robust public water system which relies on a combination of surface water and ground water supplies.  With UNH out of session, our system demand has decreased to approximately 715,000 gallons per day compared to around 1.2 million gallons per day when UNH is in session. In accordance with our water conservation plan, the Durham/UNH system would declare a Stage 1 Drought Warning when 1) the Lamprey River reaches a flow of 16 cubic feet per second (CFS) and 2) no substantial rain is in the forecast, and 3) the system demand reaches 75% of the available capacity. Currently these conditions have not be met.  

The system is currently blending from approximately 70% Spruce Hole Well and 30% Oyster River at the Water Treatment Plant, as well as drawing from the Lee Well, while the Lamprey River pump station is offline due to an electrical pump failure. This condition may continue for the near term while repairs are made further re-enforcing the importance of maintaining a redundant and resilient water system while encouraging wise water use and conservation.  

DURHAM PUBLIC WORKS TRAFFIC/CONSTRUCTION ADVISORY – Catch Basin Cleaning

Please be advised that the Durham Public Works Department’s contractor for its Catch Basin Cleaning Program, Eastern Pipe Service, will be cleaning storm water catch basins along Town roadways from Monday, June 28th through Thursday, July 1st. The roadway will be restricted to one lane in the work areas with alternating traffic between 7:30am and 3:30pm. Access to adjacent residences, businesses and institutions within the work areas will be maintained at all times. Disruptions to both pedestrian and vehicle traffic are expected to be minimal however we ask that the commuting public seek alternative routes if possible and allow additional time to reach their destinations. We thank you for your patience.  For additional information please contact  Durham Public Works at (603) 868-5578.

THE RED TOWER - Some interesting Durham history.

The structure at 19 Main Street is called the “The Red Tower” for the striking, three-story square tower at the rear. The original Georgian-style house was built during the Revolutionary War in 1780 by the Reverend John Blydenburgh. A century later, in 1895, Hamilton Smith, a wealthy mining engineer, bought the property and turned the modest home into a “Gilded-era” mansion, surely Durham’s grandest house at the time. Smith added the veranda, the two-story curved bay (or “bow), the oversized roof dormers, and numerous high-style colonial-revival flourishes on the interior. He bought land to the south creating a 70-acre farm estate rolling down to the Oyster River, and built a ballroom, carriage house, stable, billiard house, tea house and creamery. Smith created a garden, where St. George’s Episcopal Church is located, that was open to the public, “free to all lovers of the beautiful.”

Hamilton Smith and Andrew Carnegie both contributed to the first library on the UNH campus – the stately Hamilton Smith Hall. The Gothic-style Smith Chapel (on Mill Pond Road) was erected by Alice Smith, Hamilton Smith’s widow, next to the family cemetery in 1900 as a memorial to Smith who died tragically in a boating accident. The land was subdivided in the 1960s and the house is now student apartments.

The Durham Heritage Commission designed a plaque recognizing placement of Smith Chapel on the National Register of Historic Places. The plaque will be installed in front of the chapel in the coming months.