Friday Updates - May 9, 2025

Friday, May 9, 2025

WATER AND SEWER BILLS DUE MAY 19, 2025

Durham residents are reminded that the second installment of the 2025 Water and Sewer bills will be due on Monday, May 19, 2025. This billing period covers water and sewer usage from January 2 through March 27, 2025. Be sure to submit your payment by the May 19 deadline to avoid penalties. Water and sewer bills in Durham are issued quarterly, with each payment due 30 days after the bill date. Please note that credit card payments are accepted, but they may be subject to additional processing fees. Payments sent by mail will be honored according to the postmark date, so residents are encouraged to plan accordingly to avoid late fees.

The 2025 rates are:

• Water: $10.92 per 100 CF
• Sewer: $10.66 per 100 CF

Payments can be made in several convenient ways:

• Online at www.ci.durham.nh.us/clerk
• In person at the Town Clerk-Tax Collector’s Office – Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays 8:00am-5:00pm (closed Wednesdays)
• By mail to Durham Town Clerk-Tax Collector, 8 Newmarket Road, Durham, NH 03824
• Using the drop box located at Town Hall at 8 Newmarket Road, Durham, NH 03824

Please contact Rachel Deane with questions regarding your water and sewer bill at: rdeane@ci.durham.nh.us, 603-868-5577

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.’

DURHAM RESIDENT CLIFFORD E. ZETTERSTROM PASSES AWAY

Clifford E. Zetterstrom, 81, of Dover Road, passed away peacefully at his home on May 1, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family.

A proud veteran, Cliff served with honor in the United States Marine Corps Air Wing during the Vietnam War, where he flew on VH34 helicopters. His bravery and service were recognized with the awarding of the Purple Heart.

Born to the late Clifford E. Zetterstrom, Sr. and Mildred (DuBois) Zetterstrom, Cliff was a man of integrity, warmth, and wit. He is survived by his beloved wife and dedicated Durham Transfer Station volunteer, Bonnie McDermott; his children, Todd Zetterstrom and his wife Dorry, and Kim Tolbert and her husband Jim; and his cherished grandson, Nicholas Zetterstrom and his wife Jess. He is also survived by his brother, David Zetterstrom, and his loyal dog Luna, who remained a constant and comforting companion.

Cliff was a dedicated volunteer for the Town of Durham's, contributing his time and effort to ensure the smooth operation of Durham’s elections. In 2020, during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, his service was critical during a time of uncertainty. The Town of Durham is deeply appreciative for his commitment to civic duty.

Those wishing to honor Cliff’s memory may consider a donation to Wentworth Homecare and Hospice, 9 Andrews Road, Somersworth, NH 03878, or to any animal rescue organization of their choice—an especially fitting tribute for a man who loved animals deeply.

In keeping with his wishes, funeral services will be private.

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 streambanks 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 (http://www.oysterriver.org), the NH Dept. of Environmental Services’ Volunteer River Assessment Program (NH VRAP), 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

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!

DRUG TAKEBACK RESULTS

As reported in the April 25th Friday Updates, the Durham Police Department partnered with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) on Saturday, April 26, 2025, to take unused, expired, and unwanted prescription medication for proper and safe disposal. 

The Durham Police Department is pleased to report that this program yields results, as a receipt received from the DEA showed our community turned in over 50 pounds of unused prescription medications from our drug take back program. This amount was collected over a six-month period.

We want to remind the community that the Durham Police participate in this program every day. There is a drop box in the lobby of the police station where you can drop your medications at any time. If our lobby is closed during non-business hours, simply use the call box next to our front door to contact an officer and they will be happy to help. Please, no needles or liquids.

Remember, proper disposal of unneeded drugs saves lives, protects the environment, and our overall community. 

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. 

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 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.