Friday Updates - May 1, 2026

Friday, May 1, 2026

A beautiful tree in bloom near the Durham Post Office. Courtesy, Todd Selig

As we welcome the arrival of May, it's worth remembering that May Day is observed around the world as International Workers’ Day, rooted in 19th‑century organizing for fairer hours and safer conditions.

Today, in accordance with the President's proclamation (see HERE), Governor Kelly Ayotte has directed all flags on public buildings and grounds in the State of New Hampshire to be lowered to half-staff on Saturday, May 2, in honor of National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend. Flags will fly at half-staff until sunset on Sunday, May 3.

The Town is actively marketing the apartment at Wagon Hill Farm's historic Bickford-Chesley House with the goal for a tenant by June 1st.

AGENDA ITEMS FOR MAY 4 TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

• Recognition of former Councilor Robin Vogt
• Selection, appointment, and swearing in of new TBD Councilor (2 applications received by 4/29/26 deadline at 5 PM - Jeffrey Berlin and Jay Gooze)
• Approval of a Resolution to allow a Vice-Chairperson and remove the requirement to select a Secretary on the Energy Committee
• Approval to keep some older non-public minutes sealed
• Appointment of David Hadley to an alternate membership on the Conservation Commission
• Presentation by Dr. Andy Smith and UNH Students on Durham Police Department Community Survey Results and Findings
• Continued Discussion Regarding the Development of Town Council Goals for FY 2026/27. A working draft dated 4/27/26 can be viewed HERE.
• First Reading of an Ordinance to make changes to height requirements to some of the properties in the downtown

TOWN COUNCIL TO APPOINT NEW COUNCILOR ON MONDAY, MAY 4

Town Councilor Robin Vogt resigned from the Durham Town Council effective May 1, 2026, due to professional obligations that will require travel. Councilor Vogt has expressed his appreciation to the Council, staff, and community, and has indicated his desire to help ensure a smooth transition of his ongoing work.

At the Council meeting of May 4, the Council will appoint a new Councilor. Two people applied to fill the vacant position until the next Town election on March 9, 2027. Jeff Berlin and Jay Gooze have both stepped forward to express their willingness to serve in this role. Once someone is appointed, that person will be sworn in by Town Clerk Rachel Deane and begin serving that very evening.

Per Town Charter, the Town Council fills vacancies on the Council until the next regularly scheduled election. Under Durham's Town Charter (Council-Manager) form of government, the Town Council is both the legislative and governing body in Durham. 

A neighborhood meeting for the Mill Pond Dam Removal Project will take place on Wednesday, May 13 at 8 am at Mill Pond Park on Mill Pond Road. This meeting will coincide with a Public Information Meeting, in accordance with the requirements of New Hampshire RSA 482.13, regarding draw down of Mill Pond and the subsequent breaching of the Mill Pond Dam. Accessible accommodation for this meeting can be made upon request.

Draw down will not be initiated until the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department declares the completion of the spring fish run in the Oyster River. This date is uncertain but could be any time through the end of June.

Please Note: Accessible accommodations for this meeting can be made upon request by contacting Town Engineer April Talon at 603-868-5578 or via email at atalon@ci.durham.nh.us.

Other general updates:

• Contractor mobilization and road closure of Mill Pond Road between Church Hill Road and Smith Park Lane is currently scheduled for late-May or early-June. The sidewalk on Mill Pond Road will remain open and protected for pedestrian use.
• A detour plan for the Mill Pond Road partial closure will be completed and shared with the public in the coming weeks.
• The Town recently added its signature to the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the NH State Historic Preservation Office. The Town is now making progress on carrying out the variety of stipulations required by the MOA including recording the sound of the falls, creating a short film about the dam, interpretive signage, retaining elements of the dam as part of the project for interpretative purposes, etc.

On January 9, 2026, the contract and associated documents for the Mill Pond Dam Removal project were signed with SumCo Eco Contracting, LLC following approval by Town Council in October 2025 and adoption of the FY 2026 budget. Discussions related to final project planning, schedule, and logistics are continuing between The Town of Durham, Sumco, VHB, and the regulatory agencies throughout this spring. Since January, Sumco has been undertaking logistical planning/contracting in order to be ready for late-May/June construction commencement.

More details about the overall project including the NHDES Wetlands Permit and Contract Documents can be found HERE. A hard copy of the Mill Pond Dam Feasibility Study and some supplemental information have been provided to the Durham Public Library and is accessible for public review.

Any questions can be directed to Town Engineer April Talon, P.E. at 603-868-5578 or via email at atalon@ci.durham.nh.us

A Canadian Goose was seen nesting at Moat Island. Courtesy, Veronique Ludington, Land Stewardship Coordinator

SUPERVISORS OF THE CHECKLIST TO CONDUCT A VERIFICATION OF THE VOTER CHECKLIST - Letters to go out around May 14

Supervisors of the Checklist are beginning a process called Verification of the Checklist. With direction from the Secretary of State’s office, anyone who has not voted since April 2021, unless they registered after the presidential election in November of 2024, will be receiving a letter, addressed to the most recent address that there is on file. The last time this process was done was in 2021. These verification letters will go out around May 14 and will further explain the process.

The next meeting of the Supervisors is scheduled for: Tuesday, June 2, 2026, from 7:00 – 8:00 PM at the Durham Town Hall.

This date and time will be the last time voters can change their party preference before the State Primary in September. The following day is the first day for registering to run for office. The online voter checklist should be updated by the time this notice is out. You should be able to check your status at: https://app.sos.nh.gov/voterinformation. 

Applicants for registration must bring paper or digital proof of identity, age, citizenship, and domicile in Durham. Voters who wish to re-register or make a change need only an ID and proof of domicile. Registration, re-registration, and changes may also be made with the Town Clerk any time that office is open.

NH SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS MOVING "CAMPUS CARRY" GUNS BILL TO STUDY COMMITTEE, LIKELY DERAILING THE MEASURE BUT THE BILL'S FUTURE IS NOT CERTAIN

A bill that would bar New Hampshire’s public colleges and universities, including UNH, from regulating firearms and non-lethal weapons on campus (HB 1793) appears headed toward defeat after the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 4-2 on April 30 to endorse an amendment from Senate President Sharon Carson, R-Londonderry, sending the measure to legislative study, a step widely viewed as effectively killing the bill this session. The underlying bill, sponsored by Rep. Sam Farrington, R-Rochester and a UNH senior, had previously passed the House along party lines and sought to prevent public institutions from restricting possession, carrying, or storage of firearms and non-lethal weapons such as pepper spray, mace, stun guns, and Tasers on their campuses.

The proposal has drawn strong opposition from UNH administration, Durham town officials, law enforcement, and a large majority of UNH students, as well as protests on campuses and at the State House, all citing safety concerns about introducing more weapons into already volatile situations.

Earlier this year, the Durham Town Council approved a resolution opposing HB 1793. Town officials will continue to closely monitor the bill as it proceeds to the full Senate, where, given the move to study and concerns raised by key senators, the measure in its current form is not expected to advance this year. However, supporters of the bill have indicated it's not over 'til it's over.

Has the The Crimson Permanent Assurance landed in Durham for May 1st? With the historic Community Church of Durham’s steeple now shrouded in big blue tarpaulins for construction, some residents may be reminded of the classic Monty Python short film “The Crimson Permanent Assurance.” In that 1983 parody, a group of elderly office workers transform their high-rise, draped in scaffolding and tarps, into a makeshift pirate ship (hello, May 1 - International Workers' Day!) that sets sail through the city skyline to take on corporate America (see below). While our church steeple is not planning any such adventure, the temporary sails of blue tarp do add a bit of cinematic flair to downtown Durham!

But what's up really with the Community Church steeple? It's a major rehabilitation of the nearly 180‑year‑old steeple, which is both a key part of the church and an important symbol of Durham’s historic identity. The contractor will replace rotted tongue‑and‑groove siding and damaged belfry siding, repair various wood trim elements, reinforce the internal structure with steel plates for long‑term stability in storms, protect and overlay the aging copper roof, and then scrape, repaint, caulk, and seal the entire steeple and belfry, all using extensive scaffolding. (Admin. Selig tried to work this up from what he could find on the internet so apologies if it is not exactly right - but readers should get the gist of the important work being done.)

Image from Monty Python short film “The Crimson Permanent Assurance.” Courtesy, Internet.

DURHAM RANKED #2 AMONG TOP PLACES TO LIVE IN NH BY NICHE - Shazam!

The Town of Durham has been recognized as one of the top places to live in New Hampshire in Niche’s latest national rankings, coming in at #1,852 nationwide. See the full article HERE.

The full list of ranked New Hampshire communities is as follows: Hanover (#862), Durham (#1,852), Bedford (#2,015), Amherst (#2,029), Portsmouth (#2,476), Newfields (#2,708), Bow (#3,036), Stratham (#3,100), Brookline (#3,153), Windham (#3,343), Hollis (#3,424), Lebanon (#3,607), Plymouth (#3,646), Exeter (#3,907), Holderness (#4,317), Brentwood (#4,337), Campton (#4,359), Rye (#4,457), Hopkinton (#4,606), South Hooksett (#4,654), Mont Vernon (#4,805), and Newmarket (#4,820).

Niche is a well-known data analytics company that evaluates communities across the country using a combination of public data sources, including the U.S. Census, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and CDC, along with millions of resident reviews. The rankings consider a wide range of factors such as affordability, housing market conditions, public schools, diversity, walkability, and overall quality of life. Niche also offers specialized rankings tailored to families, young professionals, retirees, and home buyers, as well as an integrated home search experience through its partnership with Homes.com.

DURHAM'S HOP AND GRIND NAMED AMONG SEACOAST’S BEST BURGERS!

Seacoastonline recently highlighted 18 spots for some of the best burgers in Seacoast New Hampshire and Maine, and Durham’s own Hop and Grind made the list alongside other regional favorites. The article notes Hop and Grind’s creativity and passion for burgers, including options like the Beast Mode double cheeseburger and the Morning Glory with cheddar and American cheese, smoked bacon, hash browns, fried egg, mac sauce and truffle syrup.

Located at 17 Madbury Road in Downtown Durham, Hop and Grind features quarter-pound freshly ground Black Angus burgers that have also earned recognition as New Hampshire Magazine’s 2026 Best Burger in the state. If you have not visited recently, this is a great excuse to stop in, support a locally owned business, and then explore the many other restaurants and eateries that help make Downtown Durham a great place to visit.  For information, click HERE.

Spring at Old Landing Courtesy, Jean McPeak

DURHAM POLICE COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS - Residents Report Feeling Safe, Flag Traffic and Micromobility Concerns

As part of the Town’s ongoing CALEA accreditation process for the Durham Police Department, the Town conducts a community survey every 3–4 years to gauge residents’ perceptions of safety and police services. This year’s survey of nearly 700 respondents found that a strong majority of residents feel safe living in Durham and express confidence in the Police Department’s performance, while also highlighting traffic, parking, and micromobility (bikes, scooters, and e‑devices) as priority concerns.

A large share of respondents also report that they stay informed about Town affairs primarily through the Durham Friday Updates (77%), with social media (9%), the Town website (6%), and other sources like the local paper (4%) playing a secondary role.

Andy Smith from the UNH Survey Center will present a more detailed report on these survey findings to the Town Council at its next regular meeting on Monday, May 4 at 7 PM, and residents are encouraged to tune in to learn more. A link to the full survey results is provided HERE for those who wish to review the detailed tables and methodology. 

The Planning Board is holding a public hearing on an amendment to the Architectural Design Standards at their meeting on May 13. The amendment would require setbacks for the fifth story from the face of the first story of 20 feet where the building faces Main Street and 10 feet where the building faces another street. Akin to the setbacks on Art Deco buildings, the purpose of the setbacks is to reduce the sense of height and mass of the building as seen by a pedestrian below.

The board is also currently updating the overall standards. The Architectural Design Standards (or “Architectural Regulations”) establish a comprehensive set of requirements that developers must comply with for multi-unit residential buildings (with three or more units) and commercial buildings located in the six Core Commercial districts. The regulations have been effective in enhancing design of Madbury Commons, Pauly’s Pockets, the ATO building on Garrison Avenue, and the new apartment building at Madbury and Garrison, for example, but they have not been revised in ten years.

Did you know that our area has three local community gardens? Did you know that the Durham Library loans more than books, they have a Library of Things available for loan which include items like mobile hotspots, laptops,and a pasta maker - all to save you from having to buy your own. 

These are examples of ways our community is committed to sustainability.

The first edition of the quarterly Sustainability Newsletter will be out in early May. Each edition includes quick, easy-to-read updates from many of our town committees, commissions, and entities about the sustainable projects they are working on and ways they are keeping our community thriving.

If you’re looking for ways to get more involved, or simply want to be better informed, subscribe now to get the newsletter sent directly to your inbox. Quarterly editions will follow (you can unsubscribe at any time). 

You can use this link HERE, or the QR code above.

Do you have an old pet collar, leash, or harness that you are thinking of getting rid of? Instead of tossing these items in the trash, consider bringing them to Pet Supplies Plus in Somersworth and receive 40% off a new pet collar, leash or harness when you recycle a used one. Just bring your trade-in to the front register for your instant discount.  Learn more HERE. This offer expires on 5/13/2026. 

More recycling options at Pet Supplies Plus

Pet Supplies Plus Provides a FREE recycling program for all brands of pet food and flexible treat and litter bags and packaging. This program accepts these items from all species and purchased from ANY retailer. 

Drop off your empty bags in the dedicated collection bins located in the front of the store. NOTE: The store does NOT accept 

• Aluminum cans
• Rigid pet food containers
• Paperboard packaging
• Pet toys, beds or accessories

Pet Supplies Plus

172 Tri City Plaza, Suite 12,

Somersworth, NH

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

Wildlife corridors are continuous stretches of forests, wetlands, and other undeveloped land, which allow animals to move safely across the landscape, in order to find food, build dens, avoid competition and predators, reduce inbreeding, and settle new territories. The Durham Master Plan highlights the importance of protecting these connected habitat networks, especially with the fragmentation of the region’s open space.

A recent UNH study of a young female fisher (also known as a fisher cat, though it is not a cat) illustrates how essential these corridors are. After being fitted with a GPS collar in Durham, she traveled an astonishing nearly 80-mile route across New Hampshire, navigating Great Bay, moving into Maine, returning to New Hampshire, and traversing frozen Lake Winnipesaukee before settling near Lincoln. Her journey, the longest documented movement for a fisher, showed how development and other factors can push wildlife into longer, riskier paths. 

Durham has significant protected open space (owned by various parties) with extensive connectivity. For example, the red and green areas in the map above are conserved lands surrounding the Sweet Trail.

Trout Lilies are blooming at Oyster River Forest. Courtesy, Amanda Merrill

FOOD FOR THOUGHT - Information on Durham's Agricultural Commission

The Durham Agricultural Commission is committed to advancing a resilient, sustainable, and locally rooted food system for the Durham community. In recognition of the ever-increasing challenges posed by global supply chain instability, climate change, and rising agricultural input costs, the Commission seeks to promote awareness of food security issues and encourage residents to take an active role in strengthening local food production. Central to this mission is the belief that individuals and households can contribute meaningfully to community resilience by cultivating a portion of their own food. Our mission is to help the Durham community better understand these issues while promoting practical, local solutions.

To support this goal, the Commission promotes education and practical skill-building across a wide range of practices essential to successful small-scale agriculture and food stewardship. These include, but are not limited to, seed starting, pest management, pollinator support, beekeeping, animal husbandry, and tree pruning in addition to methods of food preservation such as canning, fermentation, and dehydration, practices which extend the shelf life of seasonal harvests and reduce dependence on external supply chains. 

The Commission fulfills this educational mission in part through its Annual Farm Day (August 15) and an ongoing series of free community workshops designed to help equip residents with the practical knowledge and confidence needed to establish and maintain productive gardens and effectively preserve their harvests.

The Durham Agricultural Commission meets the second Monday of every month at 7:00pm at Town Hall or the Police Station and welcomes public participation. To learn more, click HERE.

All members of our community are invited to team up with Scout Troop 154 on May 9 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM starting at the Community Church of Durham, for Trash the Trash Day - a community clean-up event focused on making our town cleaner, safer, and more beautiful.

Bring your family, friends, and community spirit as we work together to remove litter, protect local spaces, and show pride in where we live. This is a great opportunity for those needing service hours, families looking to give back, or anyone who wants to make a positive difference.

Gloves, bags, and a great attitude encouraged!

Together, many hands can make a big impact. We hope to see you there!

Thanks to the 70+ 8th graders who came for their last couple hours before school break to help clear trails, pick up garbage and spread mulch at Jackson’s Landing.

Thanks also to the Troop 154 Scouts and other volunteers who worked at Doe Farm on Saturday to clear trails, pull invasives and install new benches they built earlier this year!

We could not do it without your support!

Do you like taking nature pictures? Then download the iNaturalist app on your phone from Play Store or Google Play and start contributing to citizen science!

Land Stewardship Coordinator Veronique will be hosting tech help sessions at the Durham Public Library to help people use the app. These sessions will be held on Thursday, April 30, 1 to 3PM, Saturday, May 2, 12 to 2PM, Monday, May 4, 4 to 6PM and Friday, May 8, 1 to 3PM.

Stop by to get more information on how to use iNaturalist and also how to contribute to the Durham Biodiversity Project on your own time, or to the Oyster River Forest Bioblitz on Sunday, May 17. Sign up for this event HERE.

Are you interested in local waterways? Would you enjoy mornings out with other volunteers, collecting and testing water samples from the tributaries and freshwater reaches of the Oyster River? Please consider joining us! 

Monitors go out in small groups from May-October, taking monthly water samples from stream banks or bridges and recording data on water clarity, pH, dissolved oxygen, and conductivity. Training is provided. Levels of involvement can vary from a few times a season to more, depending on your time and interests.

This program is sponsored by the Oyster River Watershed Association, the NH Dept. of Environmental Services’ Volunteer River Assessment Program, and the UNH/Durham Water Treatment Plant. If you are aged 16+ and would like to learn more, please email Emily Poworoznek, EL@usnh.edu

Over the last week, Durham Public Works and its paving contractor, Continental Paving, have been hard at work on 2026 Road Program candidates. The asphalt surface on Noble K. Peterson Drive and a section of Wiswall Road was pulverized, and the remaining aggregate was reclaimed into the base material to increase the structural component of the roadway and to provide a suitable foundation for the pavement cross section.

Binder course pavement was installed on Wiswall Road, with Noble K. Peterson Drive scheduled to follow early next week. The roadways will remain at the binder course level until late Summer/early Fall to allow for enhanced compaction and field verification of storm water flow patterns before applying the final 1 ½” wearing course. 

As spring arrives and the weather warms, many residents find themselves spending more time outdoors tackling yard cleanup and preparing their outdoor spaces for the season. This often goes hand in hand with outdoor campfires and fire pit usage.

To help ensure safety and compliance during this busy time of year, residents are reminded that burn permits are required for all outdoor fires. 

Permits can now be obtained quickly and conveniently online – simply scan the QR code or visit https://nh.burnsafeamerica.com/ to obtain a burn permit. Daily and seasonal permits are available, and residents are reminded that a new seasonal permit must be obtained each calendar year.

Failure to obtain a permit or to control your fire may result in being held liable for: 1. Payment of damage to property of another; 2. Payment of suppression costs to the town; 3. Prosecution for failure to comply with regulations.

Taking a few moments to secure your permit also helps protect your property, your neighbors, and our community as we enjoy the spring season responsibly.

Please call the Durham Fire Department (603) 868-5531 or (603) 862-1426 with any questions or concerns.

UNH Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development Program is partnering with End 68 Hours of Hunger for a family-friendly community event on June 6 to reduce the stigma around childhood hunger and raise funds for the program. It's a statewide event but happening right in Durham at Memorial Field outside the Whittemore Center. 

For full information and to register for the event, click HERE.

The Waysmeet Center and Cornucopia located at 15 Mill Road are committed to creating positive change through direct service grounded in compassion, equity, and social justice in the NH Seacoast and surrounding communities. Waysmeet provides affordable housing for up to 8 UNH students in an intentional community, and Cornucopia is a food pantry open to all. Waysmeet has been serving the Durham and seacoast communities since 1901. For more information, check out our website HERE.

In particular Waysmeet is looking for someone to serve in the Treasurer role, but additional board members who are passionate about food security and providing a welcoming and open community are invited to apply. Please email Board of Director Chair, Katy Allen at katyallen92@gmail.com.

OYSTER RIVER SCHOOL NEWS

June 16: Last Day of School

The last day of school for students for the 2025-2026 school year will be June 16, 2026.

Coming Events 

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

May 5 ORMS/HS Jazz Bands and Guitar Ensemble Concert

6:00-7:30 p.m. Morse Recital Hall at Oyster River Middle School (1 Coe Dr, Durham, NH 03824)

May 12: ORMS/HS Band Concert

6:00-7:30 p.m. Morse Recital Hall at Oyster River Middle School (1 Coe Dr, Durham, NH 03824)

ORHS Spring Musical: Legally Blonde

Auditorium at Oyster River High School (55 Coe Dr, Durham, NH 03824). Tickets sold at the door, cash or check only. Seniors: $7.00 | Students & Teachers: $7.00 | General Admission: $10.00

• May 14: 7:00-8:30 p.m.
• May 15: 7:00-8:30 p.m.
• May 16: 2:00-3:30 p.m.
• May 16: 7:00-8:30 p.m.

May 19: ORMS/HS Orchestra Concert

6:00-7:30 p.m. Morse Recital Hall at Oyster River Middle School (1 Coe Dr, Durham, NH 03824)

The sophomore class at Oyster River High School is hosting its first ever Parking Lot Market on Saturday, May 9, from 10 am to 2pm! This fundraiser will operate like a hybrid yard sale and farmer’s market. Several local businesses from across the seacoast are setting up pop-up shops to sell their wares.

This event is open to the community as well! If you have goods to sell, whether it be old furniture, spring clean-out items, or handmade creations, rent a parking spot, set up a table, and sell your wares to the seacoast community! Don’t have anything to sell? No worries- come visit us at the Oyster River High School parking lot to support your neighbors and favorite local vendors!

If you are interested in selling goods, please email 28leong@orcsd.org or 28willj@orcsd.org to sign up or use the QR code on the flyer above to register! We look forward to seeing you!