Friday Updates - May 2, 2025

Friday, May 2, 2025

This past Tuesday CSX was working on the railway tracks in Durham. Thirty pieces of equipment were on the tracks, but everything was cleaned up in time for the evening Downeaster. Courtesy, Steve Pesci, Project Director of Special Projects

This has been a productive week!

Fire Chief Dave Emanuel was recognized this week for his lifelong dedication to Scouting. Read more HERE.

Two new full time Durham police officers graduated from the 199th Full Time NH Police Academy graduation last Friday. The recipient of the Edward B. Garone Leadership Award was Durham officer Chloe Scott.

Our Madbury Road Complete Streets contractor is scheduled to grind out and remove the speed table on Madbury Road between Edgewood and Emerson Roads using the “Zipper” machine within the next two weeks. 

FIRST QUARTER FISCAL CONDITION OF THE TOWN LOOKS GOOD

In accordance with Section 5.6 of the Durham Town Charter, Business Manager Gail Jablonski provided a financial report to the Town Council showing a summary of the Town’s financial activity for the first quarter of 2025, through March 31.

As of March 31, 2025, the Town has expended $4,847,993, representing 21.3% of the total approved budget of $22,731,901, compared to 24.7% expended at the same point last year.

No abnormal expenditure activity was identified, with the exception of the MIS line, which reflects 37% expended due to annual software and maintenance payments made early in the year.

TRAFFIC/CONSTRUCTION ADVISORY- Roadway Crack Sealing begins Monday.

Be advised that Durham Public Works’ contractor for its Roadway Crack Sealing Program, Nicom, Inc., will be performing crack sealing operations along Tom Hall Road, Scotland Road, Hampshire Avenue, Lundy Lane, Wood Road, Cowell Drive, Glassford Lane, Sauer Terrace, and Beech Hill Road beginning on Monday, May 5, 2025. Carriage Way, Surrey Lane, and Griffiths Drive may also be completed if time/budget allows. 

JOIN SCOUT TROOP #154 FOR "TRASH THE TRASH DAY"

On Saturday, May 3, Durham's Scout Troop #154 is sponsoring a community clean-up day for the town's center. Bring the whole family and help clean up Durham's downtown from any trash or debris left over from the winter.

Meet at 10:00 a.m. on the 3rd in the bottom parking lot of the Community Church of Durham. This is an outside event, rain or shine, so dress accordingly and bring your own water bottles.

For more information on Facebook, click HERE.

Oyster River Middle School has been named the 2025 Middle School of Excellence by the New Hampshire Excellence in Education Awards (EDies).

This honor recognizes schools that demonstrate exemplary educational practices, including a rigorous and engaging curriculum, a strong and inclusive school climate, clear vision and goals, effective use of data for personalized learning, and a culture of empowerment among students, staff, and the community. ORMS was selected for its competency-based curriculum and assessment system, intentional integration of student voice, inclusive and welcoming environment, and its forward-thinking, sustainable school design that fosters creativity and wellness.

The award comes with statewide recognition, a $2,000 prize, a school banner, and an engraved school bell symbolizing excellence in education.

The school’s innovative approach and commitment to fostering a connection-oriented learning environment set a high standard for middle schools across New Hampshire.

ORMS will be formally honored at the NH Excellence in Education Awards Celebration on June 7, 2025, where it will be recognized as a model of student-centered excellence for the state. 

SCHEDULED AGENDA FOR UPCOMING MAY 5 TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

Presentations:

• UNH Students & Police Chief Rene Kelley: HLS Capstone Body Project.
• Nell Neal (IWMAC Chair): Resolution #2025-10 to eliminate single-use plastic bags, food service products, and Styrofoam containers for town use and events.
• Bill Page (Ice Rink Manager): Review of the 2024-2025 skating season.

Unanimous Consent Agenda:

• Scheduling a public hearing for May 19, 2025, on Resolution #2025-11 to authorize up to $14,337,300 in long-term bonds or notes for capital projects and equipment.
• Unsealing of nonpublic session minutes from 2015 (specific dates listed).

Committee Appointments:

• Consideration of Munish Nanda (30 Sumac Lane) for an alternate seat on the Planning Board, term expiring April 2028.

Unfinished Business:

• Public Hearing & Possible Adoption: Ordinance #2025-05 amending aquifer protection overlay district zoning (site drainage and permitted uses).
• First Reading: Ordinance #2025-06 to create two Central Business Zoning Districts (CBD-1 AND CBD-2); possible scheduling of a public hearing for May 19, 2025.
• Continued discussion and feedback to Admin. Selig on the Law Enforcement Services Agreement between UNH and the Town.
• Ongoing discussion of draft 2025-26 Town Council goals. To view working draft, click HERE.

The beauty inside of a tulip. Courtesy, Todd Selig

TOWN COUNCIL TO RECEIVE PRESENTATION FROM UNH CAPSTONE CLASS ABOUT THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF INVESTING IN BODY WORN CAMERAS FOR THE DURHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT – Durham officers have requested this additional tool to help them be as effective as possible; it has not come from community members expressing concern.

At the request of the Durham Police Department, a team of University of New Hampshire Homeland Security majors has completed a comprehensive capstone project evaluating the adoption of body-worn cameras (BWCs), with findings to be presented to the Durham Town Council on May 5th.

The report concludes that BWCs would improve evidence collection, reduce citizen complaints, and help continue to foster community trust, aligning Durham with a growing national and statewide standard.

However, implementation carries significant financial implications: vendor quotes for a five-year period range from $104,202.50 (Axon) to $113,770 (Motorola), with annual recurring costs averaging approximately $20,000/yr +/- after the initial year, primarily for equipment, data storage, and maintenance. While grant funding is available to offset some costs, the investment remains substantial. 

The Council will receive a presentation from the UNH student team on Monday evening, May 5.  

PUBLIC HEARING ON STATE BUDGET BEING HELD ON MAY 6

On Tuesday, May 6, from 1-5:00 p.m. and then from 6:00 p.m. - later, the NH Senate is holding a public hearing on the state budget. Please attend and share your thoughts. The House passed one version of the budget that the Senate may choose to amend before sending it to the Governor.  

AUTHORS WORKING ON U.S. NATIONAL CLIMATE ASSESSMENT REPORT DISMISSED THIS WEEK BY TRUMP ADMINISTRATION – Work on Durham’s local Climate Action Plan continues. 

The Trump administration has dismissed the hundreds of scientists who had been compiling the federal government’s primary report on how climate change is affecting the country. The decision puts the future of the report, which is required by Congress and is known as the National Climate Assessment, into question.

Since 2000, the federal government has published a comprehensive look every few years at how rising temperatures will affect human health, agriculture, fisheries, water supplies, transportation, energy production and other aspects of the U.S. economy. The last climate assessment came out in 2023 and is used by state and local governments as well as private companies to help prepare for the effects of heat waves, floods, droughts and other climate-related challenges.

On Monday of this week, researchers around the country who had begun work on the sixth national climate assessment, planned for early 2028, received an email informing them that the scope of the report “is currently being re-evaluated” and that all contributors were being dismissed. 

You can read more HERE:

The Town of Durham is currently working with our UNH Sustainability Fellow and in the process of finalizing its Climate Action Plan (CAP) for the 2025-2030 time frame. The current CAP was developed in 2022/23. The decision by the federal government will have no impact on Durham’s completion of our local report.   

US DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TAKES STEPS TO CUT FUEL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM – Later the Administration walked back these steps for 2025.

Last month, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy fired all of the Federal employees working on administering the fuel assistance program also known at Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Later, a draft version of President Trump’s fiscal year 2026 budget reportedly proposed eliminating the LIHEAP program altogether.

The program provides nearly 30,000 families in New Hampshire fuel assistance. Durham directs people who may qualify to this program. Last year nearly 1,000 emergency requests for fuel were fulfilled in NH over the winter. Senator Shaheen has signed several bipartisan letters to the administration about these changes. You can read Senator Shaheen’s statement about this HERE. 

 Congress ultimately has the power to fund LIHEAP, and following the congressional letters and public pressure, the Administration announced plans to release remaining fiscal year 2025 funding this week. 

DURHAM VOTER REGISTRATION SESSION COMING UP

Supervisors of the Checklist will be holding a public session in the Town Clerk's Office at the Town Hall (8 Newmarket Rd) for the purpose of registering new voters and accepting changes to name, address, and/or party on Monday, May 12, 2025, from 7:00 – 7:30 PM. You may also register to vote or make changes to your registration at the Town Hall any time the Clerk’s office is open. There is no future election in Durham in 2025.

Applicants for registration must bring with them proofs of identity, age, 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 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 https://www.sos.nh.gov/elections/register-vote and click on the link ‘Registering to Vote in New Hampshire.’

A heartfelt thank you to Angie and Reif Hammond, longtime Durham residents and trail stewards at one of the Town’s Conservation properties, Longmarsh Preserve. They have dedicated countless hours of their time keeping the trails clean and open, pulling invasives and replacing trail markers among other tasks. They have also enjoyed observing and photographing wildlife there. 

Land Stewardship Coordinator Veronique Ludington walked the trails with Angie and Reif this week and felt fortunate to learn more about the property from them.

For April’s "Discover Durham’s Trails" walk at Thompson Forest, Sara Callaghan led the group to observe vernal pools and its inhabitants - currently spotted salamander and wood frog egg masses. The group learned about the unique characteristics of vernal pools and the importance of protecting them and also talked about the New England Cottontail habitat restoration at the property.

Join us on Sunday May 18th, 8:30am at Doe Farm for a birding walk!

The Bickford Chesley House located at Wagon Hill Farm was built in 1804 by John Bickford (1765-1813), a sea captain and resident of Salem, Massachusetts, who owned several New Hampshire farms managed by tenant farmers. Following Bickford’s death in 1813, several generations of the Chesley family managed a diverse farming operation used until the mid-2oth century. The Town of Durham purchased the property from the Tirrell Family in 1989.

The trustees of the Wagon Hill Farm Heritage Expendable Trust are asking for donations from the public to go to support the renovations to the Bickford-Chesley House, ell, and barn not included in the LCHIP grant and or town funding.

Your check payable to the Wagon Hill Farm Heritage Expendable Trust may be mailed to Durham Town Hall, 8 Newmarket Road, Durham, NH 03824. 

Sponsorship Levels:

Leadership Level

$20,000 and above

Name listed at Leadership Level on recognition plaque

Benefactor Level

$10,000 - $19,999

Name listed at Benefactor Level on recognition plaque

Patron Level

$5,000 - $9,999

Name listed at Patron Level on recognition plaque

Steward Level

$3,000 - $4,999

Name listed at Steward Level on recognition plaque

Thank you!

NOT JUST TRAFFIC STOPS AND NOISE COMPLAINTS - Here’s what our police officers have been up to this week.

This snapshot highlights the range of calls Durham officers manage—from routine patrols and traffic enforcement to complex investigations and mutual aid responses.

Criminal Investigations & Arrests: Officers handled several criminal matters, including an individual turning themselves in on a warrant, an arrest for assault at a local business, and an ongoing case involving threats made to officers during booking. One arrest involved potential charges of assault, disorderly conduct, and criminal threatening.

Traffic & Vehicle Incidents: There was a head-on collision on Adams Point Road—thankfully with no injuries—and officers conducted numerous motor vehicle stops as part of ongoing traffic enforcement and safety efforts.

Noise & Disturbance Calls: Officers responded to multiple noise complaints, including both self-initiated and resident-reported disturbances. These types of calls continue to be a regular part of the department’s service. Don’t hesitate to contact DPD at (603) 868-2324 if you ever have concerns.

Public Safety & Support: Durham officers provided mutual aid to Fish and Game in a case involving a firearm discharged during a property dispute. They also assisted Newmarket Police in a high-risk situation involving a report of an armed individual, remaining on scene until the suspect was safely taken into custody.

Unusual Situations: Police responded to a unique incident at Jackson’s Landing, where someone was found trapped inside the Emerson mausoleum for approximately three hours. Yikes! Once safely removed, further investigation led to a pending criminal trespass charge.

Routine Patrol & Officer Training: Throughout the reporting period, officers performed door checks, directed patrols, and continued training activities. A new officer completed Taser certification and began participating in routine patrol and communications.

Additional Calls: The department also handled a theft at a local gas station, a vehicle accident, residential lockouts, and several suspicious vehicle investigations.

The 199th Full Time NH Police Academy graduation was last Friday in Concord. Chief Rene Kelley, Deputy Chief David Holmstock and Administrator Selig attended to support two new Durham officer graduates - Chloe Scott and Alexander Scopa. Officer Scott was the recipient of the Edward B. Garone Leadership Award!  

DURHAM ROADWAY CENTER & EDGE LINE PAINTING TO COMMENCE MONDAY

Be advised that Durham Public Works’ contractor for its Roadway Center and Edge Line Striping Program, Industrial Traffic Lines, will be painting center and edge lines along Town roadways beginning Monday, May 5, 2025. The roadway in the work areas will be restricted to one lane with alternating traffic between 8:00am and 4:00pm.

The roadway will be restricted to one lane in the work areas with alternating traffic between 7:00am and 5:00pm. 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. This schedule is subject to change without notice due to weather, mechanical issues, and other conditions. For additional information please contact Durham Public Works at (603) 868-5578.

CURBSIDE SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING POLICIES – A Reminder to Residents

Durham Public Works would like to kindly remind residents of the following:

1) Solid waste and recycling must be placed curbside NO LATER than 7:00 am on your day of collection to receive service. Please note that collection routes will vary week to week, and drivers may not arrive at the same time each day. Do not rely on previous pickup times as a guide.

2) Solid waste collected curbside must be in a tied bag and preferably placed into a lock-on style container for ease of disposal. The collection vehicles are operated by a single employee who on average handles between 10,000 – 14,000 pounds of solid waste per day.

3) Commingled and mixed paper recycling are collected on alternate weeks. A container which includes a mixture of these materials will not be collected. Please refer to the image above which illustrates common commingled contaminants.

4) Our collection vehicles do not handle large boxes well. They get caught at the top of the compaction hopper, causing other materials to back-up and eventually overflow. This is particularly dangerous when the truck is driving down the road, as the cardboard is prone to flying out of the hopper. We kindly ask that all cardboard be cut into 2’x2’ pieces before being placed in your blue bin or other recycling container and when disposing of at the Transfer Station. We also ask that loose cardboard left beside containers be tied with string for ease of handling. Please refer to the image above which illustrates common cardboard contaminates. It is important to note that when disposing of cardboard curbside, it may be commingled with mixed paper products. 

Last Friday for Arbor Day a new tree was planted in Memorial Park. Pictured are Sam Hewitt, Assistant Public Works Director, Veronique Ludington, Land Stewardship Coordinator and Rich Reine, Public Works Director along with some Durham citizens as Rich reads an Arbor Day proclam. Courtesy, Todd Selig

UNH ROTC CADETS INSTALL PERENNIAL PLANTS AT MAIN STREET ROUNDABOUT

Several ROTC cadets from UNH volunteered their time last week to install 30 boxwood plants at the Main Street roundabout. These plants are part of a larger beautification project at that location, with several other perennial plants set to be installed later this Spring.

Their efforts are greatly appreciated!

Roadway and Drainage Improvements – Phase 3

Durham Public Works and its contractor, G.W. Brooks & Son, Inc. continue to progress on the Phase 3 Roadway and Drainage Improvements portion of the Madbury Road Complete Streets Project. Drainage construction continued this week with the installation of several catch basin structures. 

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 ~1,100 feet of new installation to date and will begin on individual service connections next week within the segment from Maple Street to Edgewood Road.

MILL POND DAM REMOVAL AND OYSTER RIVER RESTORATION PROJECT – Project put out to bid – a significant project milestone!

Durham Public Works has released the construction plans and specifications to five contractors who were pre-qualified in 2024 to submit a bid for construction. Bids are due June 6, 2025. The Implementation Start Date (i.e. removal of the dam and restoration of the river channel) is planned to begin late summer 2025. Installation of the fishway at the Oyster Reservoir Dam is expected to occur in 2026.

Final project bidding documents, plans and specifications can be found on the project website HERE.

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) held a public hearing on April 22, which was very well attended by members of the public and state/federal agencies. Some members of the public concerned about dam removal continued to raise concerns to regulators, who extended the comment period by an additional 21-days so these citizens could file any last remaining objections.

The project is funded through over $4 million in state and federal grants that the Town has sought and been awarded, including:

•  $284,226 from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) via the NHDES Critical Flood Infrastructure Grant for design and permitting.
• $290,000 from NOAA’s Community-Based Restoration Program for fish passage design at the Oyster Reservoir Dam.
• Approximately $3.2 million in construction funding expected from NOAA upon completion of design and permitting phases.

This restoration effort will improve fish passage, restore natural river functions, and address safety concerns of the structurally deficient dam. As part of compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, federal agencies and consulting parties have evaluated potential impacts on historic and archaeological resources. Mitigation measures have been developed to offset adverse effects and will be formalized in a Memorandum of Agreement.

2025 ROAD PROGRAM GEOTECHNICAL EVALUATION TO TAKE PLACE SHORTLY - This process enables DPW to fine tune roadway maintenance efforts.

Subsurface exploration work is scheduled to begin for the roadway pavements and base materials on Constable Road, Falls Way, Orchard Drive and Ryan Way. 

Contractor, Miller Engineering and Testing will be on site over the next several weeks to perform multiple borings at each of the locations. 

Asphalt thickness will be measured and split-spoon soil sampling and Standard Penetration Tests (SPT) will be performed. Select soil samples recovered from each of the test borings will be submitted to our laboratory for gradation testing and classification to ensure the appropriate construction method is implemented for the 2025 roadway reconstruction.

WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT – Major component rehabilitation work to begin following UNH commencement.

Project contractor Apex Construction, along with subcontractor Evoqua, is set to begin the next phase of critical rehabilitation work at the wastewater treatment plant.

It includes the reconstruction of mechanical systems for both secondary clarifiers.

Selective demolition of the South clarifier is scheduled to begin on May 19, following the University of New Hampshire’s commencement on May 17. This timing and reduction in student population aligns with a significant drop in wastewater flows. 

Upgrading the aging clarifiers is essential to ensure reliable operation of the treatment process, maintaining permit compliance, and continued protection of the Oyster River and Great Bay Estuary receiving waters.

DURHAM PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY - If applicants don't have all required certifications, DPW may be able to work with them to ensure they obtain such within a reasonable time frame.

Traffic Control Division – Traffic Control Specialist

The successful candidate will undertake rewarding and challenging work involving the maintenance, construction, and operation of traffic control signals and devices, street signs, pavement markings, and street lighting systems to ensure the safety and functionality of the Town’s multi-modal transportation network. In this versatile and exciting role, you will report to the Operations Manager and Assistant Public Works Director.

This full-time position offers excellent medical, dental, life, and disability coverage, paid time off, and eligibility in the State of New Hampshire retirement plan. The salary range for this position is from $25.09 to $28.59/HR, depending upon qualifications.

The successful candidate will have a minimum of three (3) years of experience in the trades and construction field, with a strong emphasis on working with traffic control systems. Applicants will have a current State of New Hampshire Class B Commercial Driver’s License with Air Brake Endorsement. A Certified Flagger designation or an ability to obtain within three (3) months of hire is required. This position requires emergency response on a 24/7 basis and performing work in adverse weather conditions.

Please send resume and cover letter to Durham Public Works, Attn: Shannon Shaw, Assistant to the Public Works Director, 100 Stone Quarry Drive, Durham, NH 03824 or by email to sshaw@ci.durham.nh.us by 3:30 PM on June 5, 2025. 

Solid Waste Division Supervisor

The successful candidate will undertake meaningful and challenging work involving the management of the Raymond A. LaRoche Sr. Transfer Station and Recycling Center and the Town’s Curbside Collection Program to achieve the Town’s sustainability goals while protecting public health. In this versatile and exciting role, you will report to the Operations Manager and Assistant Public Works Director.

This full-time position offers excellent medical, dental, life, and disability coverage, paid time off, and eligibility in the State of New Hampshire retirement plan. The salary range for this position is from $26.90 to $33.97/HR, depending upon qualifications. Normal work hours are Tuesday – Saturday from 07:00 AM – 03:30 PM.

The successful candidate will have a minimum of (2) years of experience in municipal solid waste operations and in the operation of commercial vehicles and related equipment. Applicants will have a current State of New Hampshire Class B Commercial Driver’s License or out-of-state equivalent. The successful candidate will also possess an NHDES Solid Waste Operator License This position requires strenuous physical work, emergency response on a 24/7 basis for winter storm events, and performing work in adverse weather conditions.

Please send resume and cover letter to Town of Durham, Department of Public Works, Attn: Shannon Shaw, Assistant to the Public Works Director, 100 Stone Quarry Drive, Durham, NH 03824 or by email to sshaw@ci.durham.nh.us by 4:30 PM on May 5th, 2025.  

Part-Time Seasonal Laborers

The successful candidates will assist the Operations Manager and Buildings and Grounds Supervisor in completing routine public works projects such as landscaping, park and facility maintenance, and road maintenance.

The salary for these part-time, seasonal positions is $16-18/hr, depending upon qualifications. These 40-hour/week positions run from May-August and normal work hours are 7:00 am – 3:30 pm, Monday – Friday.

The successful candidates must be 18 years of age and have a valid driver’s license or may be 16 or 17 years of age with signed parental permission. Experience with small engine operation, including lawnmowers, string trimmers, and leaf blowers is desired.

Please submit applications to Durham Public Works, Attn: Shannon Shaw, Assistant to the Public Works Director, 100 Stone Quarry Drive, Durham, NH 03824 or by email to sshaw@ci.durham.nh.us by 4:30 PM on May 17th, 2025.    

Highway Division – Heavy Equipment Operator

The position performs laboring tasks when not assigned to equipment operation and assists in other maintenance-related functions within Durham Public Works when needed. The position works under both the general and direct supervision of the Operations Manager, Assistant Public Works Director, and Public Works Director in this versatile and exciting role.

This full-time, 40-hour-per-week position offers excellent medical, dental, life, and disability coverage, paid time off, and eligibility in the State of New Hampshire retirement plan. The salary range for this position is from $25.09 to $28.59/HR, depending upon qualifications.

The successful candidate will have a minimum of three (3) years of demonstrated experience in the safe operation of equipment used in road and utility construction and maintenance in addition to heavy equipment operation and maintenance procedures. Preference will be given to applicants with excavator experience. Applicants will have a current State of New Hampshire Class B Commercial Driver’s License with Air Brake Endorsement. This position requires emergency response on a 24/7 basis and performing work in adverse weather conditions.

Please send resume and cover letter to Durham Public Works, Attn: Shannon Shaw, Assistant to the Public Works Director, 100 Stone Quarry Drive, Durham, NH 03824 or by email to sshaw@ci.durham.nh.us by 3:30 PM on May 20th, 2025.   

Applications and a more detailed job description are available at the Department of Public Works Main office or online at www.ci.durham.nh.us/jobs.

Oyster River Parents and Preschoolers (ORPP) will turn 25 this fall and we are planning some events to celebrate the rich and meaningful experiences and connections that have formed between parents and children over the past two and a half decades.

If you were a part of this organization either recently or way back in the early days and you want to hear about and/or help with planning any of the events of the 25 Year Celebration of ORPP, please use this link HERE to opt in so we can stay in touch. Please pass the link on to any friends or neighbors who have been involved with ORPP over the years. We are looking forward to having the chance to reconnect, reminisce, and celebrate the ORPP community past and present!

OYSTER RIVER SCHOOL NEWS

May 6 & 27 Strategic Planning Sessions

Superintendent Shaps invites the Oyster River community to join him at Oyster River Middle School on May 6 and May 27, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., for two Strategic Planning Sessions. This is an opportunity for Oyster River community members to contribute to ORCSD’s next 5-year strategic plan. During these two identical sessions, Dr. Shaps will guide participants through the World Café protocol, a collaborative and interactive approach to group discussions designed to share ideas and generate collective insights. Please let us know if you plan to attend by completing this form HERE so we can accommodate everyone.

May 13 ORHS Ensemble Concert

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

May 16-18 ORHS Spring Musical: MAMMA MIA!

Four performances in the Auditorium at Oyster River High School (55 Coe Dr, Durham, NH 03824). Tickets sold at the door: $7 for students and $10 for adults, cash only please. 

• May 16: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
• May 17: 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
• May 17: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
• May 18: 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

May 20 ORMS Spring Orchestra Concert

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

May 29 Mast Way Art Show

5:30 - 7:00 p.m. at Mast Way School (23 Mast Rd, Lee, NH 03861).

May 30 Mast Way Mayfair

5:30 - 7:00 p.m. at Mast Way School (23 Mast Rd, Lee, NH 03861).

May 30 Coffee House

6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Multipurpose room at Oyster River High School (55 Coe Dr, Durham, NH 03824). Coffee House celebrates the quarterly launch of award-winning student publication Mouth of the River. The $5 admission can be purchased at the door and is one of MOR's primary fundraising sources. Food and drink are included with admission.