Friday Updates - June 6, 2025

Friday, June 6, 2025

Packers Falls Bridge Courtesy, Bill Doucet

It's an exciting weekend for Oyster River families -- high school graduation is tonight. Yikes! Where have the years gone?

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT TONIGHT'S ORHS GRADUATION

Due to inclement weather, the ORHS graduation ceremony will be held on Friday, June 6, at the UNH Whittemore Center. The ceremony will start at 8:30 p.m., with doors opening at 8:00 pm. Read Principal Noe's message to families HERE.

RITE AID AT MILL PLAZA CLOSING JUNE 16

Due to the national bankruptcy of the Rite Aid corporation, the store located in the Mill Plaza will be closing on June 16. All prescription information from this store will be sent to Walgreens. There is a Walgreens store in Lee at the Lee Circle as well as one in Dover. If you would like your prescription information sent to a different pharmacy, please contact the Mill Plaza Rite Aid store prior to June 16.

UPDATES FROM THIS WEEK’S LEADERSHIP TEAM MEETING

At this week’s Leadership Team (department heads and other identified staff) meeting, a number of updates were provided:

Farmers Market & ORHS Graduation Prep: The downtown Farmers Market had a successful kickoff, drawing families and students. Police and parking enforcement are fully prepared for the high school graduation ceremony on June 6th, which will be held in the Whittemore Center.

UNH The Edge at West End Project & Council Goals: A UNH selection committee is reviewing development proposals for the West End project, with the potential to include the Town’s 66 Main Street property. Administrator Selig (primary) and Council Chair Friedman (alternate) are on the selection team. The Town Council is continuing its goal-setting process, including discussions about how to prioritize goals.

Taxes & Economic Development: Discussion centered on maintaining a stable municipal tax rate by broadening the tax base through responsible development, rather than reducing services that residents consistently demand and have come to enjoy. Ideas included encouraging taxable business development, expanding housing options, and applying smart growth principles downtown. Infrastructure investment and grant opportunities were also highlighted as key to managing future financial pressures, with the need to have the ability to make strategic investments in areas such as staffing and infrastructure short term that could pay long-term dividends. The importance of not being penny wise, pound foolish was discussed. Current staff are feeling very stretched and worry things will begin to fall through the cracks. 

Construction & Capital Projects: Updates included ongoing work on roadways, sidewalks, and new brick and stone elements downtown on Madbury Rd. A new walkway is being installed near St. Thomas More Church for pedestrian safety. DPW is pursuing grant funding to help offset costs for a multi-use path project from Edgewood to Pendexter Road. Repairs to the Main Street bridge and other upcoming summer projects were also discussed.

Library & Recreation News: The Durham Public Library’s summer reading program begins June 9 with special events, a new Tween D&D (Dungeon & Dragons) group, and virtual programs. Parks & Recreation is preparing for summer camps, with staff training underway and a presentation to Council on the recent playground and Parks & Rec. survey completed recently by UNH Recreation researchers planned for July.

Public Safety & Equipment: The Fire Department reported on Memorial Day services, fire safety training at UNH, and a new 2025 replacement Tahoe that has arrived ahead of schedule. There was discussion about fire safety concerns regarding an electric bike in Town Hall. The Police Department is preparing to replace aging computers before Microsoft ends support for Windows 10 this fall.

Election Equipment: Durham is replacing its old ballot machines with new Dominion models. Some components, including training tablets, have unfortunately been delayed, but the vendor has committed to resolving this quickly. The new machines are compact, offline, and we believe a component will include photographic ballot records.

Budget Approvals & Staffing Notes: The Council approved over $14 million in bonding for past year projects, which as projected has the potential to increase the tax rate by about 5 percent assuming no other changes for FY 2026 before the budget process for next year even gets started. Several staff absences are planned over the summer, including Todd Selig’s upcoming sabbatical and medical leave for other staff.

Finance & Compliance: The US Treasury Department identified a $658,000 federal compliance issue related to contractor verification in 2023. Auditors are reviewing next steps. Tax statistical revaluation update efforts have begun, and staff are working to collect several delinquent accounts and unpaid utility bills.

Spirea blooming Courtesy, Carol Birch

MADBURY ROAD PROJECT UPDATE

The Town of Durham appreciates everyone’s continued patience as we move forward with the Madbury Road Complete Streets Project. This is a major infrastructure effort that includes full reconstruction of Madbury Road from Main Street to U.S. Route 4.

The work involves upgrades to water, sewer, stormwater, and gas utilities, along with rebuilding the road and sidewalks. We’re also adding an 8 to 10-foot-wide multi-use path. Streetscape improvements, traffic calming, and better access for pedestrians and cyclists are all part of the plan.

The project is being done in four phases. Right now, Phases 1, 2, and 3 are active:

Phase 1

This involved replacing two large culverts that carry Littlehale Creek under Madbury Road and Edgewood Road. That work is now mostly complete.

Phase 2 is broken into two parts:

• Segment 1, which runs from Pettee Brook Lane to Garrison Avenue, is close to being finished. Crews are working on hardscape features, tree planting, stone veneer on the cheek walls, installing tree grates, and final paving. Most of this should be wrapped up in the next few weeks, with top paving coordinated with Segment 2.
• Segment 2, from Main Street to Pettee Brook Lane, will continue the multi-use path and include new sidewalks and curbs, stormwater improvements, streetscape elements, traffic calming, and repairs to the Pettee Brook culvert. This section is expected to start within the next few weeks and run through August, finishing with paving.

Phase 3

This covers Garrison Avenue to Edgewood Road and includes water main replacement between Maple Street and Route 4. Other work includes extending the multi-use path, adding a sidewalk on the west side, stormwater upgrades, traffic calming median islands, and full reconstruction of the road. Streetscape and hardscape work will also be included. Construction will continue through November, with final paving planned for spring 2026.

While it’s been a wet spring, the project is still on schedule. Weather and contractor availability may still affect the timeline, but we’ll continue to keep everyone updated.

For more information, we’ve created a project story map, which you can view HERE. It’s being updated and will reflect the latest project status next week.

Mia wants to remind you it’s not too late to license your dog for 2025! Dog licenses were due April 30, but you can still register. Per New Hampshire law, all dogs over 3 months old must be licensed annually (May 1–April 30) with proof of a valid rabies vaccination. Your vet notifies the Town once the rabies vaccine is updated—make sure your license is up to date too!

Ways to license your dog:

• Online
• By mail
• In person at the Town Clerk’s Office

Fees:

• $10 – Unaltered dog
• $7.50 – Spayed/neutered dog
• $2 – First dog for owners 65+
• Late fee: $1/month starting June 1
• Civil forfeiture: $25 if not licensed after a grace period

Need help? Contact the Durham Town Clerk’s Office at 603-868-5577.

Office hours: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri – 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Closed Wednesdays)

NEW VOTER REGISTRATION SESSION COMING UP

New voters may register at the Town Hall whenever that office is open. However, there will be a specific registration session held on Thursday, June 19 from 1:00 – 2:00 PM at the Town Hall.  Existing voters may also make changes to their name, address, and/or party at those times.

U. S. Citizens must be 18 years of age in order to vote in New Hampshire. However, they may register to vote as long as they will be 18 by the next election. The next election in Durham is not until March of 2026. Parents of new graduates might consider encouraging their children to register to vote soon, as long as they will be 18 by that March election. They will then be ready to vote here either in person or by absentee ballot.

Applicants for registration must bring with them proofs of identity, age (18 by the next election), U.S. citizenship, and domicile (in Durham). Affidavits are no longer accepted. The list of proofs currently accepted, especially for domicile, is rather complicated. A NH Driver’s License or Non-Driver’s License with your local address is the easiest thing to bring for identification, age, and proof of domicile in Durham. However, it does not prove citizenship, even if it is a Real ID, so you must also bring another document for that.  If you are unsure of what is necessary and what will be accepted, please call the Clerk’s office at 603-868-5577 or check the Secretary of State’s website HERE and click on the link ‘Registering to Vote in New Hampshire.

The Durham Police Department is excited to introduce a new Canine Comfort Dog Program. Unlike traditional police dogs trained for enforcement, our comfort dog will provide emotional support to individuals and families during and after traumatic events, such as accidents, domestic violence incidents, or sudden loss. The dog will also be a resource for our own officers and staff, helping to support wellness and reduce stress.

We’re happy to share that a male golden retriever puppy will shortly join the department and will begin training to become the department’s official comfort dog. He’ll also be a regular at community events and school visits, helping to build positive connections between the police and the public.

Officer CJ Young, who proposed the program and will in fact own the dog, would love help from the community in coming up with name ideas. Officer Young will consider suggestions as he and his family decide on the perfect name. Please reply to Administrative Assistant, Karen Edwards, with your ideas at kedwards@ci.durham.nh.us.  

As part of restoration and improvements at the Bickford-Chesley Farmhouse at Wagon Hill Farm, it was observed that soil material excavated from the basement contained what appeared to be historic materials. 

Mr. Selig mentioned this offhandedly to UNH President Elizabeth Chilton who graciously offered to see whether UNH scientists would be available to assist as part of an archaeological dig of sorts. 

Within less than a week, a team of UNH professors and students arrived at Wagon Hill Farm. Durham Police arranged for parking. Over two sunny days they sifted through large dirt piles and recovered many interesting historic artifacts – as well, apparently, as rat skulls! 

We really appreciate the work and effort of the UNH archaeology and cultural anthropology team as part of this project. UNH’s Meghan Howey, who has overseen many research projects in Durham, organized the work party.  Professor Howey is the author of the newly published book, The Shock of Colonialism in New England: Fragments from a Frontier. 

Thank you to all who were involved. What a great example of UNH and Durham working together!

Mark your calendar to attend the re-enactment of Lafayette’s visit on Sunday, June 22, at 10:15 am on the Town Hall grounds. Meet the General, who arrives in a horse-drawn carriage, enjoy welcome speeches, refreshments, and a musket salute by the Sons of the American Revolution.

To help you get in the mood for this “living history,” there will be a program at 6:30 pm, June 11, at the Durham Library on Lafayette, his life and contributions to the American Revolution, and the modern Lafayette Trail. Charlotte Hitchcock of the Durham Heritage Commission will present.

Trivia question: Why was Lafayette welcomed to Durham with a 24-gun salute? Watch for the answer next week!

Slow down and be on the lookout for turtles crossing roadways for nesting sites.

If you see a turtle on a roadway help them cross (when it is safe to do so) by moving them to the side of the road in the direction they were traveling. 

As the warmer months arrive, we encourage residents to be cautious about ticks while enjoying the outdoors. Ticks are active throughout New Hampshire and can transmit illnesses such as Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis. These insects are commonly found in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas—including local trails, parks, and residential yards. Residents are urged to wear light-colored clothing, use insect repellent, and thoroughly check themselves and their pets for ticks after spending time outside. If a tick is found, it should be removed promptly, and any unusual symptoms such as fever, rash, or joint pain in the following weeks should be reported to a healthcare provider.

Ticks can be active from early spring through late fall, especially during mild weather. Simple steps like staying on marked trails, tucking pants into socks, and placing clothes in a dryer on high heat after outdoor activities can further reduce the risk of tick exposure. Early detection and treatment are important for preventing complications from tick-borne illnesses. Stay safe and vigilant while enjoying Durham’s numerous areas of natural beauty!

Land Stewardship Coordinator Veronique Ludington will have more information about safety tips concerning ticks next week.

The Town of Durham will be replacing the current parking pay stations downtown with a pay-by-plate parking method. This change-out is scheduled to occur during the week of June 9th.

The new meters require you to input your license plate number. The need to return to a vehicle to display a receipt on the dashboard will no longer be necessary.

The one-hour-free parking will still be in effect with these new meters. Durham residents will still be able to get their second hour for free when they use their 2025 resident/taxpayer sticker number at the pay station (instead of their license plate number).

If you don’t have a 2025 resident/taxpayer sticker, make sure to go to the Town Hall Clerk’s Office or the Public Works Department, to obtain a sticker if you are eligible. The new stickers for 2025 were mindfully designed with this purpose in mind. Each contains a unique number to denote residents.

There will be a learning curve for all, so please be patient. Parking enforcement officers will be more visible in the downtown area after the replacement to assist with this transition, so please don’t hesitate to ask for help!

Langmaid Marsh Courtesy, Veronique Ludington

Did You Know?  Recycling Clothing

Are you unsure of what to do with clothing and/or shoes you no longer want or need? Continuing with our “spring cleaning” theme, we will share some local businesses that help you sustainably pass on items for re-purpose, reuse or to upcycle.

New Moon

New Moon is a women's boutique here in Durham at 9 Madbury Road #106 focusing on sustainable local brands and consignment items. If you have in-season items that are in “like new” condition, consider this great small business! Visit their website HERE.

Good Planet Apparel

What is upcycling you ask? Upcycling involves transforming items into something new and often of higher value, Good Planet Apparel, also in Durham, at 13 Jenkins Court offers upcycled clothing and alterations. Visit their website HERE.

Echo Thrift Shop

The Echo Thrift Shop located downstairs in the Community Church of Durham is a completely volunteer run thrift shop collaboration between the nonprofit organization Friends In Action and the Community Church of Durham. 100% of the shop's proceeds support local non-profit organizations. Visit their website HERE.

EcoSmith

If your clothing/shoe items are not in-season, or in good enough condition for consignment, consider donating your items to EcoSmith. EcoSmith is a local, family-run, registered B-Corp business that focuses on ensuring that as many items as possible are reused and resold, either locally or internationally.85% of donated items are reused as clothing. In addition, they work with partners who sort items into categories such as those that can be repaired, used in manufacturing, or milled into fibers. They do accept items that are not in good condition. To get a full list of what they do and do not accept, click HERE. You can find an EcoSmith bin for drop-offs at the Durham Transfer Station. NOTE: All donations must be in plastic bags in order for them to be reused or re-purposed. (The bin is not water tight).

Salvation Army

Another great option for clothing and shoe donations is the Salvation Army. The clothes and shoes collected by the Salvation Army are either sold in Salvation Army Thrift Stores or recycled. Less than 5% of donations end up in landfills. The proceeds from sales support the Salvation Army's charitable programs. Unusable items are often sold to cloth graders or textile recyclers. You can find a Salvation Army bin for drop-offs at the Durham Transfer Station. Visit their website 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.

UPDATE FROM DURHAM’S LAND STEWARDSHIP COORDINATOR

Over the past month, part-time Land Stewardship Coordinator Veronique Ludington has been busy with a variety of projects around town. She received approval from the Conservation Commission to use funds for a new bench at Stevens Woods and for this year’s Bioblitz. Planning for the Bioblitz is underway, with a meeting scheduled after the next Land Stewardship Committee meeting to pick a date and location. Veronique also plans to attend a similar event in September to get ideas for how we might improve ours.

On the trails, the new loop at Jackson’s Landing has been cleared and is ready to be marked and mapped. Work has also been done at the Interpretive Trail, where a previously used unofficial trail was closed off. Veronique met with Russell Bennett to monitor the Fogg conservation easement, with no issues to report, and she’s currently taking a series of easement monitoring classes through UNH Cooperative Extension. The final session will be a field visit in Deerfield later this month.

At Longmarsh, repairs to the bog bridge are almost complete thanks to help from three volunteers, and invasive plant removal along the trail continues. Veronique is also planning a larger volunteer workday this fall to tackle burning bush near the Langmaid Farm Foundation. A small footbridge built by Greg DiSanto should be finished next week. Once it's in place, trail signs will be updated, and a short section of trail will be cleared to reconnect with the existing path to Dame Road. Some trail rerouting and signage corrections will be addressed at the Sweet Trail and Longmarsh crossing.

Finally, regular mowing has begun at the Oyster River Forest trail and Thompson Forest and will take place during the first week of each month through October. Veronique has also been recruiting more volunteers and trail stewards, with a few new faces already stepping up to help during the Longmarsh project.

Veronique is doing a really great job in this role, and we appreciate all of her efforts, as well as the efforts of our many volunteer community members and community partners from UNH, local conservation organizations, and elsewhere. It takes a team!

With the help of multiple volunteers over a few mornings, the repair of bog bridges at Longmarsh Preserve, the gateway to the Sweet Trail, has been ongoing. A few more workdays will be needed to finish the work and also continue the invasives removal project along the Yellow Trail, especially by the Langmaid Farm foundation.

If you are interested in volunteering for work on Town-owned nature properties, please contact Veronique at vludington@ci.durham.nh.us.

ANOTHER SCAM REPORT: BE AWARE OF QUITCLAIM DEED FRAUD

This week the New Hampshire Attorney General’s office made a public notice about reports of deed fraud occurring. 

Understanding and Preventing Deed Fraud

Deed fraud happens when scammers forge property ownership documents—typically quitclaim deeds—to illegally transfer real estate without the owner's knowledge. These fraudulent deeds are then recorded with the local register of deeds. Once recorded, scammers may sell, mortgage, or rent the property before the rightful owner is aware.

Fraudsters often target vacant land, properties without mortgages, and homes owned by out-of-state individuals. They may use fake IDs and exploit remote closings, where no parties meet in person.

How to Protect Your Property

While deed fraud can’t always be prevented, property owners can reduce their risk with these steps:

• Set up Google Alerts for your property address to catch online mentions (google.com/alerts).
• Check real estate sites like Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com to ensure your property isn’t listed without your knowledge.
• Search your property address on social media platforms like Facebook for suspicious posts.
• Monitor the property if you don’t reside there or ask neighbors to watch for unusual activity.
• Consult your title insurance provider to explore coverage options for deed fraud.

Stay Informed Through Public Records

Early detection is critical. Consider the following actions:

• Monitor property records on your county’s register of deeds website. Most are available through nhdeeds.org.
• Sign up for property fraud alerts at propertyfraudalert.com, available in many New Hampshire counties.
• Watch for missing bills, such as tax or water bills, which may signal a change in ownership or billing address.

Report Suspected Fraud

If your property is fraudulently transferred, seek legal advice immediately. To report suspected deed fraud or get assistance, contact the New Hampshire Attorney General's Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-888-468-4454 or visit the Consumer Protection Bureau HERE.

UPDATE ON EMERGENCY GENERATOR PROJECT FOR CRITICAL TOWN FACILITIES

The Town of Durham operates multiple critical facilities that have the potential to experience operational challenges and loss of service to the public during a power outage. It’s imperative that critical community support facilities and water utilities remain operational during power outages and emergency conditions. Because of this, these facilities require an emergency backup power source (generator). 

Durham Public Works pursued federal funding and was awarded Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) funding of $430,000 to cover a portion of the cost for new emergency generators. These CDS Funds are administered through FEMA’s Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant process. The contract includes five (5) generators for the following locations: 1. Lee Well Pump Station 2. Spruce Hole Pump Station 3. Lamprey Pump Station 4. Durham Police Department 5. Durham Department of Public Works. 

The Town has worked with Underwood Engineers to design these improvements, and the project has recently been awarded to CDS Unlimited of Bennington, New Hampshire. A Preconstruction meeting with CDS and the project team took place on June 5th , with work set to begin over the next month. 

Roadway and Drainage Improvements

Durham Public Works and its contractor, G.W. Brooks & Son, Inc. continue to steadily progress on multiple phases of the Roadway and Drainage Improvements portion of the Madbury Road Complete Streets Project. Phase 3 improvements north of Garrison Avenue have progressed concurrently in recent weeks, including drainage installation, decorative lighting conduit and foundations, and construction of the sub-base for a new sidewalk and multi-use path. Additionally, Phase 2 work between Pettee Brook Lane and Garrison Avenue is nearing completion with a new brick amenity belt, public shade trees, decorative tree grates, and perennial landscaping installed recently. 

Next week, some of G.W. Brooks’ efforts will shift towards additional Phase 2 work between Main Street and Pettee Brook Lane, beginning with the replacement of the closed drainage system between Cowell Drive and Pettee Brook Lane. This additional work will ultimately include the continuation of the multi-use path, sidewalk and curbing replacement, streetscape and traffic calming elements, and repairs to the Pettee Brook culvert. Construction is scheduled to continue through August, concluding with paving. Parking along the corridor will remain closed for the duration of the work.

Waterline Replacement – Phase 2

Durham Public Works and its contractor, Joseph P. Cardillo and Sons, continue to progress on the Phase 2 Waterline Replacement Project. The team has completed ~1,500 feet of new installation to date, including individual service connections between Littlehale Creek culvert and Maple Street. Efforts over the last two weeks have been focused on the construction of a temporary above-ground watermain which extends from North of the Madbury Booster Pump Station to Hampshire Avenue. Subsurface investigations during the design phase of the project revealed significant amounts of shallow ledge in this corridor, making the utilization of the existing waterline trench for the new main the most cost-effective option for construction. Using the existing trench and removal of the existing water man necessitates a temporary water main configuration during this operation. Despite a wet spring, the project remains on schedule. However, please note that weather conditions and contractor availability may affect timelines. For more details, Durham Public Works has created a project story map available HERE.

The 2025 Road and Sidewalk Program contract was recently awarded to Continental Paving of Londonderry, NH, with work scheduled to begin over the next few weeks. The program will include roadway reclamation, paving, and drainage improvements along Orchard Drive and Ryan Way, along with reclamation and paving of Constable Road and Falls Way. Additionally, Garrison Avenue will receive a mill and overlay treatment between Main Street and Madbury Road.

The scope of work also includes milling and overlays of roadways owned by UNH, specifically Leavitt Lane, Evergreen Drive, and a portion of South Drive. The value of this work is contained within the Town’s capital improvement plan and is funded entirely by the University.

The Sidewalk Program consists of continued phased reconstruction of sections of deteriorated concrete sidewalks with brick edging within the Downtown Corridor. Planned improvements in 2025 include the western segment between Smith Park Lane and #21 Main Street and several select areas within the heart of downtown. These sidewalks currently have non-compliant accessible ramps, areas of failed or overturned curbing, dislodged bricks with up-heaved and deteriorated concrete panels. This project will remove the existing concrete and brick banded sidewalks and replace them with new concrete panels, eliminating the failed brick banding and sections of upheaved bricks. 

In preparation for the 2025 Road Program, Durham Public Works (DPW) hosted informative neighborhood meetings over the last week for residents who live along roadways receiving construction improvements. Residents along Constable Road, Falls Way, Orchard Drive, and Ryan Way were invited to attend a morning discussion on site with the DPW team regarding the proposed reclamation and resurfacing of their roadways. DPW received many helpful questions and constructive feedback on certain roadway nuances, which will aid significantly in the pre-planning process.

NEW BATTERY DISPOSAL BAN TAKES EFFECT JULY 1

Beginning July 1, a new state law prohibits the disposal of lithium-ion batteries and certain electronic devices in New Hampshire landfills, incinerators, and compost facilities, This change aims to reduce fire hazards and environmental risks associated with improper battery disposal.

Users of the Town’s curbside collection program and Raymond A. LaRoche, Sr. Transfer Station and Recycling Center will be required to recycle items such as wireless phones, laptops, printers, and other electronic devices containing lithium-ion batteries. While Durham Public Works has offered recycling options for these batteries and products for many years, it will now be required by law. For additional information on this ban, please see the NHDES website HERE.

Durham Public Works’ contractor for the Bickford Chesley House Rehabilitation, Milestone Construction, continues to progress on structural and aesthetic repairs to the historic structure. In recent weeks, construction efforts have focused on overhauling the electrical and plumbing systems, repairing and replacing sections of exterior clapboard and foundation sills, and reinforcing the basement structure with repairs to the main carrier beams and the installation of new lally columns. Over the next several weeks, the focus will be on the installation of sprinkler system plumbing, wall insulation, and drywall

OYSTER RIVER SCHOOL NEWS

Last Day of School is June 18

On April 16, the ORCSD School Board determined that the students' last day of the 2024-2025 school year will be June 18, 2025. Please note that June 18 will be a full day of school, and students will be dismissed at their usual times.

2025-2026 School Calendar

ORCSD's printable 2025-2026 school calendar is available HERE. Please note this document is subject to change. We recommend that you check for online updates on the district calendar page regularly.

ORMS Hosts 2025 Bandapalooza

A large crowd gathered on Oyster River Middle School’s (ORMS) athletic field for Bandapalooza on May 29, where ORMS and Oyster River High School (ORHS) band students played for everyone’s enjoyment. Learn more HERE.

ORMS Celebrates 10th Service Palooza

On Friday, May 16, Oyster River Middle School (ORMS) students and staff of all grade levels took part in the school’s 10th edition of Service Palooza. Service Palooza is an annual ORMS tradition and an opportunity for students and staff to give back to the community. Learn more HERE.

2025 Mast Way Art Show

The Mast Way School team would like to thank students, staff, families, and community members who made the 2025 Art Show such a huge success. Learn more HERE.

Moharimet Students' Earth Day Expedition

Mr. Pavlik’s 1st grade students celebrated Earth Day this year by releasing brook trout into Little River of Lee. The expedition was led by classroom paraeducator John Silverio and a 4th grade student who is an avid outdoorsman and angler. Learn more HERE.

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.

PUBLIC NOTICE - ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT - UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE JACKSON ESTUARINE LABORATORY

Notification is hereby given to the public of the intent of the University of New Hampshire (UNH), with partial funding from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), to construct a new building addition to the existing Jackson Estuarine Laboratory (JEL). The proposed building addition will be constructed on the west side of the existing structure.

The mission of the University of New Hampshire’s Jackson Estuarine Laboratory is to advance science, support education, and inform management, primarily through research activities that increase understanding of estuarine and coastal ecosystems. The purpose of this project is to enhance and expand the School for Marine Science and Ocean Engineering.

The project will provide an array of amenities to enhance the existing laboratory and support spaces at JEL, including the addition of essential community collaborative workspace where various outside workgroups and organizations will work with university researchers on estuarine initiatives and studies. New high-bay spaces are proposed in the addition to provide interior space to store and maintain aquatic research vessels currently used by the University.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), an Environmental Assessment has been prepared to assess the potential impacts of the proposed action on the human environment. This EA is available for agency and public review and comment for a period of thirty (30) days. The Environmental Assessment is accessible HERE.

The posting on the UNH facilities website with the link to the document can be found HERE.

Comments, which will become part of the official project record, may be emailed to Mindy.Mozzoni@unh.edu until July 4, 2025.