Friday Updates - March 13, 2026

Friday, March 13, 2026

Downtown Durham - waiting patiently for spring. Courtesy, Todd Selig

Today is Friday the 13th. If you need a little extra luck, it's a great excuse to grab a tea or coffee at one of our downtown shops before diving into the updates below.

The Academy Awards are Sunday.

The University of New Hampshire community is remembering former President Joan Leitzel, who passed away on March 5 at the age of 89.

Serving as UNH’s 17th president from 1996 to 2002, Leitzel is recalled as a visionary leader who championed collaboration, academic excellence, and public service. Her continuing impact is felt through initiatives such as the Joan and James Leitzel Center for Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Education, the James Leitzel Scholarship Fund, and her decades of continued involvement with the UNH Foundation.

Colleagues and students remember her as a kind, witty, and humble leader whose contributions helped shape UNH’s modern identity and mission. She was a very good president at UNH.

Read more about her life and legacy on UNH Today HERE.

CALEA ACCREDITATION TRANSITION FOR DURHAM POLICE - Change will eliminate the need for new accreditation manager position in 2026

As many know, the Durham Police Department participates in the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) program, which verifies that our policies and practices meet nationally recognized standards for accountability, effectiveness, and public service. CALEA offers two levels of accreditation - Basic (Law Enforcement Level 1, or LE1) and Advanced. Durham PD has worked diligently to maintain Advanced accreditation for several years. However, the majority of CALEA-accredited agencies in New Hampshire operate at the Basic/LE1 level, which still includes all high-liability standards and core best practices. Out of roughly 240 law enforcement agencies statewide, only 21 hold CALEA accreditation.

CALEA itself recommends the Advanced level only for departments with the staffing and financial capacity to “consistently exceed basic service delivery.” While Durham has successfully done that in the past, each new accreditation cycle has grown increasingly demanding, even as staffing levels at DPD have remained unchanged. As a result, more administrative work has fallen to patrol officers, detectives, sergeants, administrative assistants, and the lieutenant over time. That had grown unsustainable. This was why DPD requested a new Accreditation Manager position for FY 2026.

Amid ongoing budget scrutiny, Chief Kelley recently met with Administrator Selig to discuss the part-time Accreditation Manager position approved in the FY 2026 budget. The position’s start date had already been delayed until the third quarter, but due to continued fiscal pressures, Administrator Selig inquired about and subsequently recommended that DPD transition from Advanced to LE1/Basic accreditation as a cost-saving measure.

This change will not significantly affect daily operations. Durham Police Department policies and high-liability practices, such as Response to Resistance, Pursuits, Custody, Investigations, and Evidence handling, will remain firmly in place. DPD will continue to participate in regional Police Accreditation Coalition meetings, stay current on best practices, and maintain its CALEA-accredited status.

From a practical standpoint, the shift to LE1/Basic will reduce administrative workload and documentation requirements (185 standards versus 461 under the Advanced level), without affecting how the department serves the community. Chief Kelley and the accreditation team believe this is a sound and sustainable move for the department moving forward.

For more information on CALEA, click HERE.

ROLLING INTO THE FUTURE! - Automated Curbside Solid Waste and Recycling - Collection Cart News and Updates

On or around June 29, 2026, Durham’s curbside solid waste and recycling collection will transition to fully automated collection!

This exciting transition to an industry standard program will be preceded by the distribution of standardized containers (Toters™) for all residents participating in curbside collection. Each residence will be assigned Town owned containers for solid waste and recycling – A 96-gallon container for single-stream recycling and a 64-gallon container for solid waste. Detailed instructions will be provided at the time of cart distribution and on the Town’s website around cart use and placement.

Recycling will no longer need to be separated into dual-stream streams, as recycling will all be collected in one container as a single stream collection, every other week.

Alternate container sizes may be requested prior to March 31, 2026, by visiting our online Alternate Cart Size and Program Opt-out form HERE or by contacting Durham Public Works at (603) 868-5578. After March 31, residences will be assigned the default 96-gallon and 64-gallon container sizes noted above, and alternative container size requests will be reviewed and accommodated as inventory allows. Residents who choose to opt-out of the program will need to consider alternative collection or choose to visit the Transfer Station.

For full program details, please visit Durham’s Automated Curbside Solid Waste and Recycling Collection Handbook HERE or contact Durham Public Works with specific questions or needs at (603) 868-5578. Stay Tuned for more information as the roll out date approaches.  

TOWN HALL FURNACE ISSUE - Lobby and sections of Town Hall have no heat or limited heat.

On Thursday afternoon, part-time DCAT Coordinator Craig Stevens reported water puddling near the utilities room on the lower level of Town Hall. Public Works investigated and determined that the furnace serving the lower two floors and portions of the second floor. This furnace has been an ongoing problem for several years, with recurring maintenance needs and reliability concerns. There is a hole in the heat exchange/condenser unit.

DPW staff have been on site addressing the situation and are meeting today (Friday) with HVAC contractors to evaluate whether the unit can be repaired or will need to be replaced.

We hope to have repairs/replacement completed quickly. Early indications suggest the furnace may be beyond repair, and because funds for a furnace replacement at Town Hall were not included in the FY 2026 budget, contingency funds would need to be utilized if a new unit is required. Cost likely in the $20,000 range +/- based on a 2023 estimate.

Food waste and plastic waste are closely connected. When food goes uneaten, the packaging, energy and resources behind it are wasted too. Small, manageable changes at home can reduce waste and often save money along the way. 

Shopping 

Many people make low-plastic food choices at the grocery store by doing the following:

• Choosing loose fruit and vegetables instead of pre-packaged 
• Bringing reusable produce bags
• Buying only what’s needed
• Visiting bulk stores or local markets when possible

Shopping this way reduces both packaging and food waste.

Food Storage 

A few simple storage adjustments can extend the life of fresh food and reduce the need for plastic wrap. For example:

• Herbs often last longer upright in a jar with a little water
• Leafy greens stay fresher in a container with a cloth to absorb moisture

Leftovers

Leftovers can become tomorrow’s easy meal. 

• Freezing single portions can also make busy evenings easier and reduce reliance on takeaway packaging.
• Labeling containers with dates is a small habit that helps keep food in rotation.

“Imperfect” Produce

• Slightly wrinkled carrots or soft tomatoes are often perfect for soups, sauces, or stock.
• Overripe bananas are ideal for baking. 
• Stale bread can become breadcrumbs. 

Small changes add up. Consider implementing one or more of the ideas above, and you will be contributing to a more sustainable community.

Source: Plastic Free Foundation

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.

UNH Cooperative Extension (“UNH Extension”) is a key partner with the Conservation Commission, the Agricultural Commission, the Land Stewardship Committee, other Town boards and committees, and Town residents in helping Durham protect its natural and cultural resources. UNH Extension provides assistance in every county in the state on land stewardship, forestry, wildlife habitat, invasive species management, agriculture, community planning, and other issues of local concern. They offer workshops, technical assistance, and educational programs. 

Cooperative Extension is a nationwide publicly-funded informal education system, intended to “extend” research-based knowledge from universities directly for practice everyday use. UNH Extension works in five broad areas: Community and Economic Development, Education & 4-H Youth Development, Food & Agriculture, Health and Well-Being, and Natural Resources.  Click HERE to see more information about their numerous programs and events.

Coastal communities are uniquely vulnerable to flood risks from riverine flooding and coastal storms along with sea level rise. The NH Coastal Program works to protect clean water, restore coastal habitats, and strengthen community resilience to flooding. Visit the website HERE to learn more about NH Coastal Program’s initiatives, programs and resources.

We are pleased to note that this month marks the ten-year anniversary of the Town’s acquisition of Thompson Forest!

Thompson Forest, the 54-acre parcel located on the left side of Wednesday Hill Road, is part of Durham’s valuable portfolio of public conservation lands. A 1.3 mile round-trip loop trail leads through a 15-acre shrub/wildflower meadow and oak-pine forest to the Lamprey River, where visitors can enjoy a picnic lunch and solitude, while watching for ducks, otters, kingfishers, and other wildlife. The Southeast Land Trust, which holds a conservation easement on Thompson Forest, assisted the Town in acquiring the property. See more information on the Town’s website here:  

"Astronomy Night," which was supposed to happen this winter, has been rescheduled to Friday, April 24. Let's hope this time the weather is favorable for observing the stars!

Sign up HERE and bring a small flashlight and binoculars if possible.

Meet up in at the upper parking lot of Wagon Hill Farm at 7:30PM.

DURHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT COMMUNITY SURVEY SEEKS FEEDBACK FROM RESIDENTS

The Durham Police Department, in collaboration with the University of New Hampshire Survey Center, is conducting its ninth Community Survey, last done in 2023, and we want to hear from you!

Surveys are being mailed to Durham households to gather feedback on residents’ perceptions of crime and policing in our community. You may have already received one in your mailbox. Online versions are also available. You may complete either the paper or online version, whichever is most convenient, but complete only one! Your responses help the Department better understand priorities and guide efforts to provide responsive, cost-efficient, and compassionate police services. Participation is always voluntary and completely confidential.

Residents may complete the online version HERE. Please complete and return the survey by April 1, 2026. The survey should take between 10 and 15 minutes to complete.

For questions, contact Captain John Lavoie at jlavoie@ci.durham.nh.us or 603-868-2324, or UNH Survey Center Director Andrew Smith at Andrew.Smith@unh.edu, or at 603-862-2226.

On March 18th and March 19th, members of the University of New Hampshire Police Department and their regional local law enforcement partners, to include the Federal Bureau of Investigation, will participate in annual Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (A.L.E.R.R.T.) at the university’s academic facility, Horton Hall.*

This vital training prepares officers to effectively respond to active threat situations that have unfortunately impacted colleges and universities across the nation. A.L.E.R.R.T. is recognized as a national model for active threat response, and participating officers will receive certified instruction from experts in the field.

Because this training is hands on and fluid in nature, the building and adjacent areas will be closed during the training dates. Those areas will be clearly posted with standard signage to alert the public to the ongoing exercise.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the University of New Hampshire Police Department at (603) 862-1427 or through the “Contact Us” link on the department’s website.

(* Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.)are not involved in the training.)                                                                                                                       

Raising Chickens in Your Backyard – a workshop for Durham residents interested in starting and maintaining a healthy flock, will be held on Saturday, March 14 from 10am to Noon at Durham Town Hall. Join the Agricultural Commission and UNH Cooperative Extension for this free workshop that will provide essential information and practical guidance for successfully keeping chickens in your backyard. Please register for the workshop by emailing the Agricultural Commission at theresawalker@comcast.net or calling Theresa Walker at 603-534-3913.

ACTIVE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION AND NH HUMANITIES SPONSORING FREE EVEN ON MARCH 23

The Active Retirement Association (ARA) and NH Humanities announce a FREE event featuring Jo Radner, PhD, author and past president of the American Folklore Society and the National Storytelling Network. She will discuss excerpts from her book, Wit and Wisdom: The Forgotten Literary Life of New England Villages, to relate how early New Englanders created handwritten “newspapers” full of verbal wit and humor as a form of entertainment.

The presentation will take place on Monday, March 23, 2026, 2:00 – 3:30 PM, at the Durham Evangelical Church, 114 Dover Road (Route 108), Durham, NH. Radner received her PhD from Harvard University, and before returning to her family home in western Maine as a freelance storyteller and oral historian she spent 31 years as a professor at American University in Washington, DC, where she taught literature, folklore, women’s studies, American studies, Celtic studies, and storytelling.

This FREE event is open to the public and is made possible in part with funding from New Hampshire Humanities (www.nhhumanities.org); pre-registration is not required. Cash donations for area food pantries will be gratefully accepted. Light refreshments will be served so come and bring a friend!

The ARA is an all-volunteer organization for people ages 50 and over, whether retired or not. Originally begun by and affiliated with the University of New Hampshire, it currently has over 370 members from New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, and beyond. The ARA is committed to encouraging life-long learning for its members by offering lectures, workshops, discussion groups, cultural tours, walks/hikes, member-interest Programs on Demand (PODs), and much more. For more information visit www.aranh.org, or to inquire about membership write to arainfo1982@gmail.com. We invite you to join us and expand your world!

The Active Retirement Association, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is not affiliated with any political, religious, ethnic, or special interest group.

The ORMS PTO Spring Blanket Fundraiser is officially open! 

Stay warm and show your Bobcat pride with a cozy Oyster River fleece blanket, perfect for chilly rink mornings, spring sports games, or snuggling up at home.

Order HERE.

Blanket Details:

Full color, corner-to-corner print

L: 50"x60" · XL: 60"x70"

300 GSM fleece with hemmed edges

Pricing: XL: $25 / L: $20

Orders close Tuesday, March 17th. After that, production takes about two weeks. Once blankets are ready, we will email you with a scheduled pickup time at ORMS or one of the other local schools.

Every blanket sold supports ORMS teachers, student activities, and our school community. Thank you for being part of it! 

OYSTER RIVER SCHOOL NEWS

Voting Day Results

Thank you to all Oyster River community members who took part in the democratic process on March 10. ORCSD voting day results have been published on the district website HERE.

School News

U.S. Olympian and Oyster River Alum Grace Henderson Visits Schools

ORCSD was honored to welcome U.S. Olympic freestyle skier Grace Henderson as she visited Moharimet School on March 5 and Oyster River Middle School on March 9. Grace, now 24, returned to the classrooms where her Olympic dreams began. During her visit, students and staff celebrated her journey to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan–Cortina, where she competed in slopestyle and big air. Learn more HERE.

Three ORMS Robotics Teams Invited to 2026 Robotics World Championship

Congratulations to all students who competed in the NH/VT VEX IQ Challenge State Championship, where ORMS students earned 9 of 12 available awards, and to teams 2820A, D, and J, who received invitations to compete in the 2026 Robotics World Championship. Learn more HERE.

BotBuilders Program Launches at Mast Way

Ms. Leifer and Snapology have partnered together to bring a fun after-school BotBuilder program to Mast Way kindergarten and first grade students. BotBuilders will meet every Tuesday after school for the next five weeks to introduce students to the fundamentals of robotics and coding through interactive, play-based learning. Learn more HERE.

Ongoing ORHS Scholastic Art Exhibition at Durham Public Library

A large crowd gathered for the opening reception on Wednesday, March 4. Students' artwork will be displayed through the end of March. Oyster River High School (ORHS) is celebrating an exceptional year in the 2026 Scholastic Art Awards, with students earning a total of 50 awards for their outstanding creativity and craftsmanship.

Coming Events 

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

March 19: Music in Our Schools Concert

6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Morse Recital Hall at Oyster River Middle School.

March 25: ORHS National History Day Exposition (Please note: This event was rescheduled from March 19 due to the conflict with Music in Our Schools Concert)

5:00-6:30 p.m. Cafeteria at Oyster River High School.

March 26: ORMS Humanities Night

5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Oyster River Middle School.

March 28: Moharimet Pancake Breakfast

8:00- 11:00 a.m. at Moharimet School. Suggested Donation: $6 per person or $20 per family. Cash or check to Moharimet School will be accepted. Maple syrup and t-shirts will be available for sale.

The UNH Panhellenic Council is launching “Diaper Madness," a month-long diaper and wipe drive in support of the Child Study and Development Center at UNH. As the largest women’s organization on campus, Panhellenic is committed to using its collective reach to support the broader Durham community. This initiative aims to assist campus families served by the CSDC, particularly in light of recent tuition increases and the center’s inability to continue providing essential supplies such as diapers and wipes. By rallying students, faculty, staff, and community members, the Panhellenic Council hopes to ease this burden and demonstrate strong community support for local families.

Throughout the month of March, donation collection sites will be placed across campus and around Durham to encourage widespread participation. Community members are invited to donate diapers (sizes 1–7, with the greatest need being sizes 5–7; no pull-ups, please) and wipes. While all brands are appreciated, Target and Pampers diapers are preferred, along with gentle, unscented Pampers wipes. Donations may be dropped off at designated collection sites or contributed through our online donation link HERE.

Those interested in participating or learning more are encouraged to contact Ava Vieira, Panhellenic President, at ava.vieira@unh.edu.