Friday Updates - May 22, 2026

Friday, May 22, 2026

Memorial Day is here. Courtesy, Todd Selig

With Memorial Day weekend upon us, it's worth pausing to reflect on the distinction between this holiday and Veterans Day, as the two are frequently confused. 

Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday of May, is a solemn day of remembrance dedicated specifically to the people who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. It traces its origins to the period following the Civil War, when communities began holding ceremonies to honor the Union and Confederate dead.  Veterans Day, by contrast, is observed on November 11 and celebrates all who have served in the U.S. military, living and deceased, in wartime and in peacetime alike. Its date marks the armistice that ended World War I at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.

A simple way to remember the difference is that Memorial Day honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice and are no longer with us, while Veterans Day honors all who have served. 

As Durham residents enjoy the long weekend, we hope they will take a moment to remember the fallen whose service and sacrifice made such freedoms possible.

In addition, included HERE is a poem by Rep. Wayne Burton reflecting on the Vietnam War. 

CHANGES IN TOWN OPERATIONS FOR MEMORIAL DAY

Town offices and the Library will be closed on Monday, May 25, for Memorial Day. Consider attending the Memorial Day Ceremony downtown at 10:00 a.m. to honor those who have served. (See program below for details.)

The Raymond. A. LaRoche, Sr. Transfer Station and Recycling Center will be OPEN on Saturday, May 23rd from 7:30am – 3:00pm. Additionally, there will be NO curbside collection on Monday, May 25th. Monday’s route will be collected on Tuesday, Tuesday’s route on Wednesday, etc. There will be no changes to the commercial recycling route on Friday.

The Memorial Room, located in the University of New Hampshire’s Memorial Union Building (MUB), serves as New Hampshire’s official war memorial and a quiet place of reflection within the busy Durham campus. Established in the early 1950s after state leaders chose UNH as the site where future generations would remember those who died in service, the room honors thousands of New Hampshire service members who lost their lives in conflicts from World War I to more recent wars.

Designed with a chapel-like feel, the Memorial Room features a large stained-glass window and bronze tablets engraved with the names of the fallen, including UNH alumni, creating a powerful space for remembrance and gratitude. It remains open to students, faculty, staff, and visitors as a place to pause, reflect, and honor the sacrifices made in defense of our nation. To learn more about the history and meaning of this special place, readers can visit the UNH Magazine article, “A Sacred Place of Solemn Reflection,” available here.

Join the Durham Historic Association at the museum when a new exhibit of Revolutionary War portraits and relics of Durham patriots will be unveiled on Memorial Day, May 25th, from 1pm to 4 pm. 

The exhibit will continue every Saturday 1pm to 4pm throughout the summer until Labor Day.

CAMPUS CARRY BILL DIES IN NH SENATE, LEAVING UNH AND DURHAM UNAFFECTED

A bill that would have allowed firearms on New Hampshire college campuses came to an abrupt end in the State Senate on Thursday, May 21, when senators voted on a voice vote to kill the measure outright rather than negotiate with the House over competing versions of the legislation. The House had passed a broad bill permitting students, faculty, and visitors to carry guns at all public and private colleges and universities that accept government funding, while the Senate had previously advanced a narrower version limited to faculty at public colleges only. Senate President Sharon Carson cited too many "unanswered questions" as the reason the chamber declined to pursue a compromise.

Campus and local officials, along with gun control advocates, had opposed the legislation on public safety grounds. The bill's prime sponsor, State Rep. Samuel Farrington (R-Rochester), has pledged if reelected this fall to reintroduce the measure when the new legislative session begins in 2027, and the NRA has indicated it will work with allies toward passage. For now, the current prohibition on carrying firearms on college campuses in New Hampshire remains in place.

The above detour map is provided to show the road closure and detour layout over the duration of the Mill Pond Dam Removal project. This road closure and detour is anticipated to begin the week of June 1, 2026 and will coincide with contractor mobilization to the site. The sidewalk on Mill Pond Road will remain open and protected for pedestrian use.

A neighborhood meeting and Public Information Meeting were jointly held on Wednesday, May 15 to share information with abutters of the Mill Pond Dam and other members of the neighborhood regarding the Mill Pond Dam Removal Project. Thank you to all of those who attended and asked questions. In response to several questions that were posed at the meeting, below are details regarding project cost and funding status:

The construction bid submitted by SumCo Eco Contracting (in April 2025) included the lowest total cost to complete the project ($3,142,193) out of the four qualified contractors that submitted bids, and was therefore selected by the Town Council to complete the project in accordance with Durham’s Purchasing Policy. Other contractors that submitted bids for the project include TFord at $3,388,500, Sargent at $3,526,550, and S&R at $4,597,240.

A question was asked regarding the difference between the project costs presented within the Feasibility Study and the present-day cost of the project. Costs included within a feasibility study for various options were planning level costs, which was clearly articulated throughout the evaluation process. The selected option, dam removal, was further refined during final design. In addition, cost increases can be directly attributed to the following, which would have impacted any option selected:

• Abnormally high inflation since 2020.
• Increases in unit construction costs due to high fuel prices and increased trucking costs.

The Town was verbally notified by NOAA that the remaining $1.3 million dollars of grant funds designated for the project will not be released. Notwithstanding this regrettable news, the Town has still been successful in obtaining grant funding to support the project. Of the total estimated project costs related to construction and removal of the dam of approximately $3,692,193 (including the SumCo bid, VHB construction phase engineering services and Section 106 Mitigation Efforts), the Town has received construction funding from NOAA, NFWF, and NHDES grants totaling approximately $2,174,701, or 58.9% of total construction costs. This is in line with the estimated external grant funding % offset considered at the time of the referendum vote on the project.

The construction contract for this project was approved at the Town Council in October 2025. The contract was approved subject to either receiving the remaining funding allotment from NOAA, or the approval of a FY26 Capital Improvement Program Item in the amount of $900,000, which was included/approved by the Council as part of the approved FY 2026 budget. The current available funds are sufficient to complete the project, and not receiving the $1.3M as described above will have no impact on the scope or quality of the project, meaning the Town is not cutting out parts of the project or reducing mitigation efforts.

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.

Construction activity is scheduled to begin sometime between June 1 and June 15, 2026, subject to the conclusion of the fish run.

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

Spruce Hole Bog Courtesy, Grant McKnown

ROLLING INTO THE FUTURE! AUTOMATED CURBSIDE SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING – Collection Cart News and Updates

Durham’s curbside solid waste and recycling collection is scheduled to transition to fully automated collection on or around June 29, 2026.

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 regarding cart use and placement. Carts are currently scheduled to be delivered during the week of June 8th; however, due to supply chain constraints and shipping delays, this date may be revised in the future.

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.

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. 

IMPORTANT VOTER INFORMATION! - LAST DAY TO CHANGE PARTY BEFORE SEPTEMBER PRIMARY

State law states that no voter may change party between the first Wednesday in June and the Primary. The Durham Supervisors of the Checklist have scheduled an open time on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm AS THE LAST CHANCE TO CHANGE PARTY AFFILIATION BEFORE THE SEPTEMBER PRIMARY

A session has also been scheduled for Monday, June 22, 2026, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm for general voter registration.

Both sessions will be held at Durham Town Hall, 8 Newmarket Rd.   Residents will be able to:

• Re-register if they have received a letter saying that they will be removed from the Checklist if they have not voted since April 2021
• Register as a new voter
• Request a change of name or address

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

Voters may check party affiliation online: https://app.sos.nh.gov/ If you have made a change since April 30, it may not show up on this website until AFTER June 2.

TOWN PLANNER RETIRING AT THE END OF THE YEAR - Recruitment Process Kicks Off - View the Job Posting

Durham Town Planner Michael Behrendt has informed the Town that he plans to retire at the end of this year after 14 years of dedicated service to the community. Michael's accomplishments include overseeing the re-writing of the Master Plan and creating the town's Architectural Regulations.

Admin. Selig has kicked off a job search process for a new Planner. To view the job posting, click HERE.

The UNH Dairy Bar will reopen for the summer season beginning Monday, June 1, 2026, offering a favorite local destination for ice cream and campus-made treats. The Dairy Bar will operate Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. through Friday, August 21, 2026.

Please note the Dairy Bar will be closed in observance of Juneteenth on Friday, June 19, and for the Fourth of July holiday on Friday, July 3. Additional details are available HERE.

WHAT IS THAT LARGE CYLINDER ON CAMPUS? - UNH’s New Thermal Energy Storage Tank Explained

If you've noticed a large cylindrical structure rising on the UNH campus, it is part of an innovative thermal energy storage system designed to improve efficiency and reduce emissions. The tank stores heated water produced during off-peak times, allowing the university to better manage energy demand and reduce reliance on fossil fuels during peak periods. By shifting when energy is produced and used, UNH can operate its systems more efficiently and cost-effectively. Kaizen! 

This project represents a major step in UNH’s and the Town’s commitment to sustainability and energy reductions as part of our local Climate Action Plan. Thermal storage helps stabilize energy use, lowers greenhouse gas emissions, and supports the university’s/town's broader climate goals. The system is expected to play a meaningful role in reducing overall energy costs and environmental impact over time.

A wacky and talented UNH student did a fun video that tells everything you need to know about the tank in about a minute. Check it out HERE.

Thanks to all who came out to the Town's 1st Bioblitz at Oyster River Forest/ Spruce Hole Bog last Sunday to help record observations of plants, birds, insects and more! It was a very successful event and over 240 observations were made through iNaturalist Oyster River Forest Bioblitz · iNaturalist and eBird. We will compile all the data and publish a final list on the Bioblitz page of the Town's website soon! In the meantime, you can see the photos of the observations HERE.

The Land Stewardship Team wants to also extend a big thank you to The Works for their donation of delicious bagels, the IWMAC for donating kitchen compost buckets, and all the group leaders, volunteers and artists who contributed their time and talents to make the event a great one.

Plans are already in the works for next year!

Durham‘s automated curbside collection for trash and recycling is coming soon. This week we will cover some options for what to do with your old trash and recycling carts once the new carts are delivered to your home. We will also share some additional important information about the new automated system. 

WHAT DO I DO WITH MY OLD TRASH & RECYCLING CARTS AND BINS?

New trash and recycling carts will be delivered to residents the first week in June (June 3-5, 2026) and will be provided from the Town at no additional charge.  Once your new carts are delivered, your old carts (including the blue recycle bins ) can no longer be used for curbside pick up. You must use the new carts for all curbside pick ups from that point on.

There are several options for your old carts and bins.

Keep & Repurpose

Consider using your old carts  around your home:

• Store garden tools, sports equipment, or seasonal items in the garage, shed, or basement
• Use as a dedicated yard waste bin for leaves, grass clippings, or small branches
• Repurpose as a compost starter bin by drilling drainage holes in the bottom
• Keep one in the garage for salt, sand, or ice melt during the winter months
• Use as a sturdy container for pet food, birdseed, or outdoor supplies

Sell or Give Away

Someone may have a use for what you no longer need. Selling or donating your old bins is a simple way to keep them out of the waste stream:

• List bins on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, etc.
• Offer them free to neighbors, community gardens, or local schools for storage or planting use.
• Donate them to a nonprofit for supply or tool storage

Recycle old carts and bins at the transfer station

In July 2026, you may recycle old carts/bins at your convenience at the transfer station.  The facility is open Tuesdays and Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and is closed on July 4th.

Additional important information about the new automated system

Trash bags will not be collected if placed at the curb outside of the new trash carts. All materials, including cardboard, must be placed inside carts for collection.

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

In 2017, the Forest Society protected nearly 300 acres at Powder Major’s Farm and Forest in Madbury, Lee, and Durham—creating a valued landscape of trails, wildlife habitat, and river frontage along the Oyster River and Dube Brook.

They are now working to conserve an additional 133 acres just north of the existing forest—expanding this conservation area and strengthening a vital corridor for clean water and wildlife in the Great Bay watershed.

They now need to raise the final $150,000 through private donations to reach their goal (the total project cost is $886,000). 

Your gift will help protect clean water, conserve important wildlife habitat, and expand a well-loved forest in the Great Bay region.

Visit their page HERE for more information.

This week, Durham Police were treated to a special gift basket with all the shift essentials an officer could need – notebooks, hand sanitizer, candy and sweet treats! Courtesy of Harmony Homes, the residents and staff prepared the basket to present to Durham Police Officers in honor of First Responder Appreciation week.  

Students from ORMS were hard at work assisting Durham Public Works at the Wagon Hill Farm Living Shoreline Project and helping prepare resident information packets for the transition to the new Automated Solid Waste Collection Program.

More than 100 students participated in shoreline cleanup efforts by removing wrack debris, weeding, raking, and mulching. Students also collated and bagged more than 2,500 resident information packets. This work is immensely helpful to Durham Public Works and the Town and is greatly appreciated.

Prior to the cleanup activities, Durham Public Works and project consultant Streamworks provided students with an overview of the Living Shoreline Project and shared information about the environmental and community benefits of the project.

OYSTER RIVER SCHOOL NEWS

Planned May School Closures

May 22: All Oyster River schools will be closed for a teacher workshop day.

May 25: All Oyster River schools and the SAU will be closed in observance of Memorial Day

Reminder: Last Day of School is June 16

The last day of school for ORCSD students is Tuesday, June 16, with early dismissal.

Graduation is scheduled for Friday, June 5, beginning at 5 p.m. at the University of New Hampshire Whittemore Center (128 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824).

School News

Moharimet Educators Highlight Maple Sugaring Program at Springfest

On May 9, Moharimet School physical education teacher Jessica Whalen, digital learning specialist Sarah Curtin, and principal David Goldsmith attended the 2026 SpringFest celebration at Strawberry Banke Museum to showcase the school’s renowned maple sugaring program. Learn more HERE.

More school news is available at ORCSD.org/news.

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 27: ORHS Art Show Reception

5:00-7:00 p.m. Multipurpose Room at Oyster River High School (55 Coe Dr, Durham, NH 03824).

May 28: ORMS/HS Chorus Concert

6:00-7:30 p.m. Grades 5-12. 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. Mast Way School (23 Mast Rd, Lee, NH 03861)

May 29: ORHS 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 the 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.

June 2: ORHS Science Showcase

6:00-8:00 p.m. Library at Oyster River High School (55 Coe Dr, Durham, NH 03824).