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Durham resident Jean McPeak said she took the above photograph of the Wagon Hill farmhouse, barn, and community garden exactly one hour before sunset, when the light is especially beautiful.
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UNH Homecoming Weekend begins today. Please see the item on Main Street traffic changes below regarding the weekend.
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As fall descends upon Durham and the Seacoast, remember that TICKS are once again becoming very active. We've pulled MANY off of our dogs this week. Be mindful if you are out and about in the woods or tall grasses (or even short these days). Lyme disease is no joke! An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
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Plus, a reminder that Halloween trick-or-treating in Durham takes place October 30th from 5 - 7:30 PM.
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MAIN STREET TRAFFIC PATTERN CHANGES PLANNED FOR UNH HOMECOMING WEEKEND 2021 - Oct 1st - 2nd.
It's that time once again for the University of New Hampshire to host their Homecoming festivities scheduled for the weekend of Friday, October 1st and Saturday, October 2nd. The Durham Police Department wants to make community members aware that on Saturday, October 2nd, the University of New Hampshire will be hosting many of the participants in A-Lot. In turn, the traffic pattern on Main Street will be altered to allow 2 lanes of traffic to flow towards town from the direction of Mast Road. One lane will allow for traffic to turn right into Boulder Field and the other will allow for traffic to continue through the traffic circle and towards the downtown area. Additionally, traffic coming from the downtown area towards Boulder Field will be forced to turn on to Sage Way and will be detoured to Mast Road. The Mast Road gate will be open all day to allow for traffic to flow in that direction. North Road will be shut down to all traffic in both directions except for emergency vehicles. Traffic delays are anticipated for anyone traveling in the area of Main Street and College Road and alternative routes are recommended for anyone planning to travel in the downtown on October 2nd.
Should you have any questions regarding the homecoming traffic pattern, please feel free to reach out to Deputy Chief Holmstock at 868-2324.
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NH COVID-19 POSITIVITY RATE FOR THE PAST WEEK IS 4.7%, UNH'S UNIVERSAL TESTING PROGRAM POSITIVITY RATE IN DURHAM IS .27%, DOWN FROM .40% LAST WEEK - 89% of UNH student body is fully vaccinated.
Due to the high positivity rate across NH and the Seacoast area, we continue to recommend that Durham residents exercise appropriate caution to mitigate their risk of contracting the disease. At this time everyone needs to be responsible for their own health and well-being and take all appropriate precautions such as getting fully vaccinated, physical distancing, wearing a mask, being mindful of where we travel/visit in our daily lives, disinfecting hands, etc., as appropriate depending upon personal circumstances.
It's up to local business owners to determine whether requiring masks is the right course of action for their establishment.
Masks are strongly recommended for all persons visiting Durham government buildings per CDC guidelines.
For residents who are feeling unsafe in Durham leaving their homes due to the pandemic, Durham does have a program (the Citizens Assist Program) where community members are be able to contact the Durham Police Department and our staff would put you in the program and in contact with a volunteer who could help with getting prescriptions or groceries, etc. Call the Police Department at (603) 868-2324 to enroll.
UNH and Durham officials continue to monitor the situation closely.
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DURHAM TOWN COUNCIL VOTES 7-2 TO MOVE FORWARD WITH REMOVAL OF MILL POND DAM ON OYSTER RIVER – A petition drive from dam supporters to force a Town-wide referendum in an attempt to reverse/overturn the Town Council’s decision is under way.
Following lengthy study, detailed engineering analysis since 2017 engaged by the Council exceeding $400,000 to help answer questions from the board and those raised by citizens, significant public feedback over many, many months, and thoughtful statements by each member of the Durham Town Council, the Council acted Monday evening, 9/13/21, by a vote of 7-2, to move forward with dam removal of the historic, head of tide Mill Pond Dam on the Oyster River. Councilors Kitty Marple, Sally Needell, Al Howland, Sally Tobias, Carden Welsh, Jim Lawson, and Chuck Hotchkiss voted in the majority. Councilors Wayne Burton and Dinny Waters voted in the minority.
The following action was approved by a roll call vote of 7-2:
“The Durham Town Council, upon recommendation by the Administrator, does hereby approve the Final Design Contract for Alternative # 5 - Dam Removal to Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. for the sum of $284,226 and authorizes the Administrator to sign said contract with the monies coming from Account #07- 2185-801-36-000 and #07-1784-800-36-000.”
The meeting and discussion can be viewed on DCAT On Demand, Channel 22, or on line HERE. You can click on the last agenda item and the replay will begin at the start of the actual Council deliberation. There was also lengthy public comment regarding the dam at the start of the meeting.
Town staff subsequently executed an engineering contract with VHB on Tuesday, 9/14/21, to commence the aforementioned work as directed by the Council.
A second option was also presented to the Council by the Administrator on Monday evening, which the board opted not to act upon in favor of the prior motion/action.
NO ACTION WAS TAKEN ON:
“The Durham Town Council, upon recommendation by the Administrator, does hereby approve the final Design Contract for Alternative #3 - Dam Stabilization to Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.for the sum of $247,999 and authorizes the Administrator to sign said contract with the monies coming from Account #07- 2185-801-36-000. Approval of this alternative is contingent upon the NHDES Dam Bureau approving a waiver to regulate the dam as a "non-menace structure". Furthermore, approval of such a waiver request would be contingent upon the abutting property owner recognizing that dam failure would have a detrimental impact on their property and accepting the consequences associated with such an occurrence. NHDES would require that any such agreement would run with the land such that future property owners would also be bound.”
The Council communication with backup material concerning the Mill Pond Dam on the Oyster River and the two options presented can be found as the last agenda item for 9/13/21 HERE.
Information on Referendum Petition Process. A group of residents that hopes to reverse/overturn the Town Council’s 7-2 decision through a Referendum Petition process triggering the need for a special Town-wide election/vote within 90 days as outlined in the Town Charter is currently attempting to collect the requisite signatures of 750 registered Durham voters. To read about the Town Charter Referendum Petition process (see Section 8.3), click HERE. While a bonafide option under the Town Charter, the Referendum Petition process is not one that has been commonly used in Durham. There has not been a Referendum Petition process initiated vote since the Town Charter was adopted in 1987/1988.
Collecting signatures at Transfer Station? We have received many questions from concerned residents about whether the petitioners can collect signatures at the Transfer Station & Recycling Center. Because the Town has allowed petition processes on a variety of issues to take place over the years at that facility (such as a petition from Ed Valena many years ago to allow DPW employees to wear short pants), the advocates for a referendum vote to reverse/overturn the Town Council decision concerning the future of the dam were allowed to do so on this issue so long as they were set up in a safe location that did not create safety/logistical issues and so long as other residents were not harassed or made to feel uncomfortable in any way at the facility. A request to collect signatures at the Town Hall was declined. We understand from the organizers that residents interested in learning more or signing on to the petition can stop by the Durham Transfer Station (Durham Point Road) this Saturday, October 2nd from 7:30 am to 3:00 pm. Also, there is a daily informational table at 10 Newmarket Road. Use caution stopping along this stretch of busy roadway
Information concerning the historic, head of tide Mill Pond Dam on the Oyster River can be found on the DPW web site HERE, including detailed feasibility/engineering analysis from VHB, answers from VHB to detailed questions raised over several years, and numerous citizen letters on all sides of the issue.
Letter to Town Council from The Nature Conservancy, Conservation Law Foundation, & Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership concerning the board's 9/13/21 vote on the dam. On September 24th the Town Council received a letter co-signed by The Nature Conservancy, Conservation Law Foundation, and the Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership (PREP) relating to the Council's decision on Sept. 13th to pursue dam removal with the hope the information will help the Durham community appreciate the positive environmental impacts that dam removal will have for the Oyster River system and the Great Bay Estuary. View the letter received by the Town Council HERE.
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IN PURSUIT OF EXTERNAL GRANT FUNDING TO FACILITATE MILL POND DAM REMOVAL PER THE TOWN COUNCIL'S SEPT. 13TH 7-2 DECISION, DPW HAS SUBMITTED WATERSHED ASSISTANCE GRANT PRE-PROPOSAL AND RECEIVES NOTICE OF POTENTIAL RIVER RESTORATION FUNDING GRANTS THROUGH US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
The Oyster River Dam, also known as the Mill Pond Dam, is located on the Oyster River as it flows through the Town of Durham prior to its discharge into the Great Bay. Constructed in 1913, the dam is a concrete Ambursen-style dam consisting of a spillway, a set of gated outlets at the right abutment, and a fish ladder at the left abutment. It is approximately 140 feet long, with a maximum structural height of approximately 13 feet. Due to its age, engineering significance, and association with local history, the dam is listed on the NH Register of Historic Places.
The NHDES Dam Bureau has identified several safety deficiencies associated with the current dam, including concerns with its overall structural integrity and stability. The Town was notified of these problems in multiple Letters of Deficiency, most recently in February 2018.
The dam impounds the Oyster River, forming the 9.5-acre “Mill Pond” as well as portions of the Oyster River and Hamel Brook upstream of the Pond. The impoundment is used for numerous recreational activities such as fishing, paddling, birdwatching and ice skating. Over the years, water quality in Mill Pond has declined and portions of the pond have filled with sediment, converting much of the former open water area to emergent wetland habitat. The pond is listed by NHDES as an impaired water body.
A detailed Feasibility Study published in November 2020 described several alternatives for addressing the dam safety issues, including detailed discussions of “Alternative 3 (Dam Stabilization)” as well as “Alternative 5 (Dam Removal).”
Following publication of the Feasibility Study, the VHB team was asked by the Town Council, following public input and hearings, to conduct a Supplemental Analysis of Alternative 3 (Dam Stabilization) without Option 1 (Pond Restoration Dredge), as well as to explore additional analysis of the effects of Alternative 5 (Dam Removal). These analyses address questions related to watershed management actions that could improve Mill Pond water quality, the effect of upstream water withdrawals on Mill Pond, and whether Alternative 3 could be modified to improve fish passage and water quality. That report is dated July 2021.
The public had until the end of July to submit written questions/comments about the July 2021 VHB report to the Town Engineer. At the August 16th Town Council meeting VHB presented the main themes of the questions received and there was a discussion amongst councilors and VHB was directed to provide a written memo answering those questions received by the public. Members of the public provided feedback during the public comment portion of the meeting.
The Council acted Monday evening, 9/13/21, by a vote of 7-2, to move forward with dam removal of the historic, head of tide Mill Pond Dam on the Oyster River.
Additionally, during the same meeting, the Council approved the Final Design Contract for Alternative # 5 - Dam Removal to Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. for the sum of $284,226.
On Friday September 17, 2021, Durham Public Works submitted a 2022 pre-proposal for the FY22 Watershed Assistance Section 319 Grants. This is the same grant program that the Town received for the Littlehale Culvert/Dam Removal Project on Bagdad Road. If the project is selected, a final proposal would be due by the end of December 2021. Once approved, funds would be available in the spring of 2022. Funding could support design, permitting, and construction. Non-federal match is required.
DPW also received notification of a fish passage grant funding opportunity through US Fish and Wildlife Service with a maximum grant amount request of $100,000.
To view the July 2021 VHB report, and to view additional information about the Mill Pond Dam on the Oyster River, click HERE.
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DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS PLANS TO COMPLETE REINSPECTION OF MILL POND DAM THIS FALL WITH VHB AND PARE CORP AS RIVER FLOWS ALLOW
The Department of Public Works plans to perform a minimal drawdown of the Mill Pond (only so that there is little/no flow going over the dam), during the week of October 11th (on or around October 13, 2021) to perform a dam inspection. This work is weather dependent and will be rescheduled if there is significant rain in the forecast. The Mill Pond Dam was last inspected in December of 2019. The pictures below show significant structural deterioration of the concrete, primarily one of the ribs nearest the gate structure.
Questions and comments should be directed to Town Engineer April Talon at (603) 868-5578, or atalon@ci.durham.nh.us
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OYSTER RIVER SCHOOL BOARD - PREVIEW OF OCTOBER 6, 2021 MEETING
The Oyster River School Board will hold a public hearing on October 6, 2021 at 7:00 pm in the Oyster River High School Library on proposed changes to policy BEDH, public participation at board meetings. The proposed policy changes are intended to clarify the public comment process and ensure that public comment is focused on the concerns of Oyster River residents and Barrington tuition stakeholders. Proposed changes are included in the "Agenda and Backup" meeting materials posted online HERE. The full agenda for the meeting is also at that link, and the regular school board meeting will follow the public hearing. (Please refer to pages 3 - 6.)
Public Comments to be read at school board meetings are also being accepted via email from those who choose not to attend the board meeting. Comments may be sent to wdifruscio@orcsd.org by 3:00 pm the day before the meeting, must identify the sender's name and address, be from Oyster River or Barrington residents, clearly state they are for "Public Comment for the School Board Meeting" in the message subject line, and be no longer than 300 words per person per school board meeting. The first 10 emailed comments will be read aloud at the meeting. Even if your comment is not read aloud, it is shared with all School Board members, and placed in a communications notebook as part of the public record. Details are included in the "Agenda and Backup" posted HERE.(Please refer to page 7.)
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SUSTAINABILITY ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW FROM THE DURHAM ENERGY COMMITTEE – A lot has been happening this year...
Now that Labor Day has passed and students are back on campus, the Durham Energy Committee would like to update Durham on what it has been working on this year.
In January, Durham joined the Global Covenant of Mayors, where Durham pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, prepare for the impacts of climate change, increase access to sustainable energy, and track progress towards these objectives. Since then, Durham has been working diligently to meet the deliverables for this commitment.
This summer, a Community-Wide Greenhouse Gas Inventory was completed through the joint efforts of UNH Sustainability Fellows Emily Mello and Cathy Fletcher. This inventory measured greenhouse gas emissions and removals occurring within Durham. Results from this inventory found that the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions came from transportation (47%) and the built environment (45%), and the largest sources of greenhouse gas removals came from forests and reforestation (80%) and trees outside forests maintaining or gaining their canopy (20%). This inventory also found that carbon dioxide removals from Durham’s forests and trees are equivalent to approximately 34% of Durham’s emissions. This inventory will be used to develop emissions reduction targets and strategies in Durham.
The Durham Energy Committee has seen a seen a huge uptick in interest and concern in renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions this year. The committee is using the results of the Community-Wide Greenhouse Gas Inventory to explore ways to reduce Durham’s greenhouse gas emissions. There is an opportunity through the Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire to join a Joint Power Agreement this upcoming October. By doing so, Durham will join other towns in developing and implementing Community Power Aggregation in Durham. This Community Power Aggregation will allow Durham to provide electricity from renewable energy sources, rather than traditional fossil fuel sources, and will help Durham reduce emissions.
To stay up to date on Durham’s commitment to the Global Covenant of Mayors, visit Durham’s new Sustainable Durham webpage or Durham’s Energy Committee webpage. If you want to get involved in Durham’s sustainability efforts or share feedback with the Durham Energy Committee, please contact Jennie Berry, jberry@ci.durham.nh.us.
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CAMP (Commission Assistance & Mentoring Program)
The Durham Historic District Commission sponsored two workshops related to historic preservation yesterday and the prior Thursday. The training session, known as CAMP (Commission Assistance & Mentoring Program) is oriented toward HDCs but is worthwhile for others interested in preservation as well. The two sessions included presentations/discussions on An Introduction to Historic Preservation, Standards for Design Review, Tools for Community Outreach, Legal Basics, Meeting Procedures and the Role of the Commissioner, and a final group Design Review exercise. Many thanks to HDC member Carolyn Singer for helping to arrange for CAMP to come to Durham and for securing a grant to pay for the program. (As an amusing side note, we will be holding two public input sessions on another CAMP in October – for the Climate Action Master Plan. See information on that below)
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VIRTUAL INPUT SESSION REGARDING DURHAM'S CLIMATE ADAPTATION MASTER PLAN CHAPTER - VIA ZOOM
A virtual input session has been scheduled for residents to share their feedback on Durham's climate adaptation master plan chapter on either Thursday October 21, 2021 from 4:30 - 6PM OR Wednesday, October 27, 2021 from 8:30 - 10AM.
The Town of Durham is preparing for impacts from hotter temperatures, flooding from more intense rainfall events, and rising sea levels. At this public input session, you will have an opportunity to discuss the draft recommendations addressing climate change impacts on a variety of issues - from critical infrastructure and natural resources to local economy, public health, energy, housing, and more. Your feedback can help Durham prioritize recommended actions to build resilience to these impacts.
View registration information HERE.
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DID YOU KNOW?
The world generated 53.6 million metric tons of e-waste — comprising of laptops, smartphones, electric toothbrushes, air conditioners and much more — in 2019.Less than a quarter of those castoff products were verifiably recycled. The rest, likely wound up being tossed into the trash or “exported as secondhand products or e-waste” to countries so they can decide on how to deal with it.
There are some important ways you can help — donate, repurpose and recycle responsively some of the tech taking up space in your life.
The transfer station accepts e-waste when a sticker is attached.Stickers can be purchased at the transfer station ( check only) or the Public Works Department (cash or check only) for $15.
Over the next few weeks we will highlight different types of e-waste (old smart phones, batteries, tablets, computers, etc.) and some helpful ways to tackle the challenge of what to do with it.
Source: The Washington Post
Brought to you by the IWMAC Committee
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JOIN THE FALL 2021 COMPOST CHALLENGE - Sponsored by the Integrated Waste Management Advisory Committee (IWMAC), Town of Durham Department of Public Works, and Durham Parks and Recreation
Looking for a small way to make a big difference in our community? Composting is an excellent way for you to be a part of fighting back against Climate Change in our community and our world! Learning to compost is a great way to teach your kids the importance of being sustainable. Sign up for our next Durham Compost Challenge!
October 16 - November 20
View details about what you can compost HERE.
Challenge participants receive a compost bin and compostable bags. Participants are asked to weigh each bag of their compost and household trash and keep records to report weekly. You may choose to compost the organic waste in your yard, have it picked up by Mr. Fox, or drop it off at the Transfer Station. Register for the Challenge with Durham Parks and Rec. The registration fee is $10.00.
Have questions? Contact Julie Kelley at ricjulkelley@comcast.net
Register with Parks & Rec HERE.
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CELEBRATION OF LIFE FOR NICOLE ISAAK MOORE
A Celebration of Life for Nicole Isaak Moore will be held Saturday, October 9 (rain date October 10) from 3:00pm to 4:00pm at the waterfront at Wagon Hill Farm. All are welcome. Please RSVP to Bill Leslie 603-502-8219.
View Nicole's obituary HERE.
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DURHAM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (EDC) AND HOUSING SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE EDC
This past Monday, the Town Council voted to sunset the Durham Economic Development Committee (EDC) and to designate the Housing Subcommittee (of the EDC) as a temporary task force for a period of one year. The Economic Development Committee was created by the Town Council in 2007. Its mission was to make recommendations to the Town Council to foster stabilization of the residential tax burden through economic development that would encourage diverse commercial activity and create jobs. Over the years, the EDC, with the assistance of two part-time economic development directors – Mary Ellen Humphrey and more recently Christine Souter – worked on various development projects, created two Tax Increment Finance (TIF) districts, helped write the Economic Development and the Downtown and Commercial Core chapters of the Master Plan, worked with the Energy Committee to encourage energy efficiency and renewable energy development, assisted with the Town’s recent purchase of 66 Main Street from UNH, and accomplished numerous other goals related to economic development.
Christine left the Town at the end of August when she and the Town Administrator mutually acknowledged that there was simply not enough work for her to do. There are no plans now to seek a replacement director. There are few large development projects now planned and several that UNH was working on – including conversion of Hetzel Hall to a hotel and the creation of a new high tech business park at the West Edge – may not proceed at all or are on indefinite hold. The EDC is sunsetted with the understanding that the committee could be reactivated in the future. The Housing Task Force was tasked with providing recommendations about workforce and affordable housing to the Town Council by October 1, 2022. The Council will then determine whether to sunset the task force or have it continue for longer. Many thanks to the members of the Economic Development Committee for their excellent contributions to the community over the past six years.
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ANNUAL RIGHT-TO-KNOW LAW INFORMATIONAL SESSION SCHEDULED FOR OCT. 14TH - Durham, Lee, Madbury, and ORCSD board members and citizens alike invited to watch the presentation.
Each year the Town of Durham organizes a Right-to-Know Informational Session for Durham’s elected officials, board/committee members, and Town staff. An invitation is also extended to the ORCSD School Board members and the Towns of Lee and Madbury.
This year the Right-to-Know Law presentation will be held on Thursday, October 14, 2021, from 7:00-9:00 PM in the Council chambers at Durham Town Hall. It will also be shown live over DCAT, as well as taped for rebroadcast.
It is especially important that newly appointed Chairs, Vice Chairs, and Secretaries attend this session, as well as new members to the various town boards and committees.
Town attorney, Laura Spector-Morgan, will hold the session and has asked that we provide her with the number of anticipated attendees so that she can have an appropriate amount of handouts available.
Please RSVP to jberry@ci.durham.nh.us by Friday, October 8, 2021.
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PARTIAL FIGURES ARE OUT FOR THE 2020 U.S. CENSUS
The new population count for Durham is 15,490. This includes Durham residents, UNH students living on campus, and UNH students living off campus in student housing and fraternities and sororities. This count is lower than expected. The 2010 count for Durham was 14,638 and we think it likely that the community grew by more than 852 people over the last ten years (from recent/pre census estimates by the state based on building permits and other data). This figure is likely due to the drop in undergraduates at UNH over this same period (2010 – 12,183 students and in 2020 – 11,665 students), challenges with the census due to Covid, and other factors leading to undercounting. The census does seem to get carried away in how it breaks down population by race, showing the numbers up to those who identify as being part of six separate races. Of the 14,709 people in Durham who identify with one race (again, including UNH students), 91% are white, 1.4% are Black or African American, 5.6% are Asian, a very small percentage are Native American, Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and 1.5% identify with some other group. Two people identified as belonging to four races and nobody identified as belonging to five or six. 4.2% of the total population identify as being Hispanic or Latino. The census does seem to get carried away in how it breaks down population by race, showing the numbers up to those who identify as being part of six separate races.
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IT’S BUDGET SEASON, SO PLEASE EXCUSE THE DELAY IN MR. SELIG FOLLOWING UP ON EMAILS, VOICEMAILS, LETTERS, ETC.
Budget season is upon us in Durham and as such, Administrator Selig is actively working with the Business Office and our various department, boards, committees, and commissions in formulating a proposed budget for consideration by the Town Council. By Town Charter, Mr. Selig has until the last business day in October to propose a budget to the Council. The Council then has until the last business day in December to adopt a budget of its own, or the Administrator’s proposed budget becomes the FY 2020 budget by default.
At this time of year, Mr. Selig is in constant budget meetings, in additional to normal responsibilities, and as such responding to correspondence and calls/inquiries, is typically delayed. Urgent matters should be sent to the attention of Administrative Assistant Jennie Berry, jberry@ci.durham.nh.us
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Adeline McCullough, Coastal Restoration Intern, and oyster cages at Town Landing. Courtesy Todd Selig
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DURHAM COMMUNITY OYSTER GARDEN
On Wednesday September 29, 2021 The Nature Conservancy and the Town of Durham hosted a Oyster Garden Municipal Event at the Durham Town Landing to showcase the Durham Community Oyster Garden and to share how other local communities would be able to partner with TNC to host other oyster community gardens in their Towns and Cities. Community oyster gardens create a free, educational experience accessible to the public, along with the environmental services of oysters. Representatives from the Portsmouth and Dover attend the event and asked lots of great questions!
More than just a delicious dish, the eastern oyster improves water quality and creates important habitats for other organisms. The New Hampshire Chapter of The Nature Conservancy (TNC), has been restoring oysters in the Great Bay since 2006 with the help of volunteers. Each summer, TNC gets cages of baby oysters and brings them to bayside volunteers that watch and record the growth of the oysters.
This year, there was a new oyster garden in the town of Durham at the town public landing, there were four oyster cages installed with baby oysters. (seen in the above photo). This public oyster garden allows anyone to come and learn about oysters and healthy estuarine ecosystems. You can do some citizen science, or just look at the oyster cages and any critters that may have made their home amongst the oysters.
Although it’s the end of the season, TNC hosted oyster workshops for the public through August and September, where they gave presentations about oysters, restoration, and the environment. There were interactive activities, including examining inside the oyster cages and exploring what types of animals and plants occur in an oyster habitat.
We are looking forward to next season and continuing our work with The Nature Conservancy on this important program.
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LAST WEEK TO APPLY TO CARES ACT FUNDED COVID-19 EXPENSES PROGRAM
On September 9, the Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery (GOFERR) launched the COVID-19 Expenses Relief Program to assist New Hampshire for-profit Main Street businesses with COVID-19 related business expenses in 2020 and 2021.
Awards will be issued following the application deadline, utilizing approximately $20 million from the State’s CARES Act funds on a capped, pro-rata basis dependent upon total eligible expenses. Roughly $10 million of the overall fund is money that was required by U.S. Treasury to be returned to the State and is now being reinvested into the business community.
Eligible businesses can apply for reimbursement of a portion of their eligible expenses until 4 PM this Friday, October 1, 2021, via the GOFERR portal.
Eligible expenses for reimbursement include but are not limited to broad categories, such as:
- Costs incurred while closed due to COVID-19 (such as prorated rent, mortgage payments, and utilities);
- Costs incurred as a result of reopening after COVID-19 related closure (such as PPE, workforce safety training, and installation of physical safety measures); and
- Increased costs of doing business as a result of COVID-19 (such as HVAC improvements, creation or addition of indoor or outdoor space for social distancing purposes, and increased costs due to supply chain disruptions or increased demand).
Note: More information on the program, including eligibility information, can be found HERE.
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Frog on the Sweet Trail in Durham. Courtesy Carol Birch
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8TH ANNUAL STRAFFORD COUNTY FARM BUREAU FARM STYLE BREAKFAST - COMING UP OCTOBER 17TH
The 8th annual Strafford County Farm Bureau/ Lee and Durham Agricultural Commissions sponsored Farm Style Breakfast Fundraiser for the Strafford County Farm Bureau " Youth in Agriculture Grant Program" is scheduled for October 17, 2021 at the Jeremiah Smith Grange Hall in Lee.
The grant program provides scholarships or grants to youth interested in pursuing further education in the field of agriculture,or funding youth agricultural projects and agricultural outreach programs.
If you would like to donate to the grant program in lieu of the breakfast, please send checks to Strafford County Farm Bureau, c/o Ruth Scruton, 540 Meaderboro Rd, Farmington,NH 03835.
Thank you for your consideration and understanding, and hope to see you in the spring of 2022.
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FULL-TIME RECYCLING & SOLID WASTE COLLECTION EQUIPMENT OPERATOR NEEDED
The Town of Durham in New Hampshire’s seacoast region is one of the most beautiful and desired locations in the State and is home to the University of New Hampshire. The Durham Public Works Department, a recognized leader in the Public Works field, is fully integrated and progressive using modern equipment and facilities to achieve its goals. The Department is seeking a highly qualified team member to join an exceptional team of Public Works professionals to serve in the role of Recycling and Solid Waste Collection Equipment Operator.
The successful candidate will undertake meaningful and challenging work involving the collection, transportation, and final disposal of municipal solid waste and recycling in an effort 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. Salary range for this position is from $22.30 to $25.15/HR, depending upon qualifications.
The successful candidate will have a minimum of (2) years of experience in operating 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 or the ability to obtain within (6) months of hire. This position requires strenuous physical work, emergency response on a 24/7 basis for winter storm events and performing work in adverse weather conditions.
Applications and a more detailed job description are available at the Department of Public Works Main office or online at http://www.ci.durham.nh.us/jobs.
Please send resume and cover letter to Town of Durham, Department of Public Works, Attn: Janice Richard, Assistant to the Public Works Director, 100 Stone Quarry Drive, Durham, NH 03824 or by email to jrichard@ci.durham.nh.us by 4:30 PM on October 8th, 2021.
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WAGON HILL LIVING SHORELINE EFFORTS SERVING AS REGIONAL EXAMPLE OF RESILIENCE AND ADAPTATION TECHNIQUES/STRATEGIES
The recently constructed Living Shoreline Project at Wagon Hill is more than an on-the-ground restoration project; it is now the site of educational programs for restoration design professionals throughout New England. Today, the Great Bay Living Shoreline Project hosted a workshop of thirty living shoreline professionals to help them advance the state of the practice of designing, engineering, and constructing living shorelines to support coastal resilience throughout the Great Bay area. In addition to the Wagon Hill site, four additional projects have been selected in Durham, Dover, and Newmarket, and the design teams have begun working on collecting baseline data and other information, using knowledge and insight they’ve gained from today’s program. View more information on the project HERE.
Similarly, on November 2nd, the National Association of Conservation Districts (Northeast) and the NH Association of Conservation Districts will host a tour of Wagon Hill’s Living Shoreline and meadow habitat (that supports species such as the Monarch butterfly and a nesting population of Bobolinks) for attendees of their conservation conference. This will expose a different suite of conservation professionals to the practice of living shoreline design and construction, and stimulate the further use of these techniques on projects throughout the greater Seacoast area and beyond.
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HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE DAY – Morning of Saturday, October 23, 2021
The 2021 Household Hazardous Waste Day will be held at the Dept. of Public Works facility located at 100 Stone Quarry Drive on Saturday morning, October 23, 2021. As in the past, all hazardous waste will be collected by appointment only between 8 – 11:30 AM. To register, you must call the Dept. of Public Works at 603-868-5578 or email publicworks@ci.durham.nh.us. THE MAXIMUM COLLECTED PER HOUSEHOLD IS FIVE GALLONS.
NO EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS, RADIOACTIVE WASTE, ASBESTOS, SILVEX OR INFECTIOUS/BIOLOGICAL WASTE WILL BE ACCEPTED.
Consider reducing your purchase of products with hazardous ingredients; read labels thoroughly. Use and store products containing hazardous substances carefully to prevent any accidents at home. Never store hazardous products in anything other than their original containers and never remove labels. Never mix HHW with other products. Incompatible products might react, ignite, or explode, and contaminated HHW might become un-recyclable. Remember to follow any instructions for use and disposal provided on product labels. NOT ACCEPTED AT HAZARDOUS WASTE DAY – LATEX AND OIL BASED PAINTS, MOTOR OIL, AND ANTI-FREEZE. These items can be brought to the Transfer Station with your permit throughout the year. Latex paints must be dried out first--motor oil, anti-freeze and oil based paints can go to the Transfer Station as-is. Typically, hazardous waste is categorized as toxic, ignitable, corrosive, reactive or otherwise hazardous. Please check the manufacturer’s label.
Common Household Hazardous Waste
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BUCKTHORN BLITZ WORKDAYS! - Oct. 14TH and 17TH
Volunteers are needed to help remove invasive species from Durham’s Thompson Forest and Doe Farm Preserves to help native woodland regeneration. We have partnered with Nature Groupie to schedule four workdays during the month of October. Join Durham’s Land Stewardship Coordinator Tom Brightman, and Ellen Snyder of Ibis Wildlife Consulting to help pull buckthorn from the preserves.
Dates and Times:
Thompson Forest Preserve: October 14th and 21st from 2-4 pm.
Doe Farm Preserve: October 17th from 1-3 pm, and October 20th from 2-4 pm.
Get all the details for each date, and sign up (space is limited) on the Nature Groupie website HERE.
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HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR SOUGHT - FULL-TIME
The Town of Durham in New Hampshire’s seacoast region is one of the most beautiful and desired locations in the State and is home to the University of New Hampshire. The Durham Public Works Department, a recognized leader in the Public Works field, is fully integrated and progressive using modern equipment and facilities to achieve its goals. The Department is seeking a highly qualified team member to join an exceptional team of Public Works professionals to serve in the role of Heavy Equipment Operator.
The successful candidate will undertake rewarding and challenging work involving the maintenance and construction of roads, sidewalks, and drainage conveyance 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. Salary range for this position is from $22.30 to $25.15/HR, depending upon qualifications.
The successful candidate will have a minimum of three (3) years of experience in heavy equipment operation. Applicants will have a current State of New Hampshire Class B Commercial Driver’s License or out-of-state equivalent. This position requires emergency response on a 24/7 basis, a rotational stand-by schedule, and performing work in adverse weather conditions.
Applications and a more detailed job description are available at the Department of Public Works Main office or online at http://www.ci.durham.nh.us/jobs.
Please send resume and cover letter to Town of Durham, Department of Public Works, Attn: Janice Richard, Assistant to the Public Works Director, 100 Stone Quarry Drive, Durham, NH 03824 or by email to jrichard@ci.durham.nh.us by 4:30 PM on August 16, 2021.
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THOMPSON FOREST PRESERVE NATURE WALK - Sunday, October 17, 2021 from 9-11 AM
Discover the Durham's Thompson Forest Preserve with Land Stewardship Coordinator Tom Brightman. This casual walk will wind through meadow, young successional forest, and older woodland areas. Tom will describe how the property is being stewarded, and discuss various flora and fauna along the way. Please wear good walking shoes. Rain or shine (other than a heavy downpour or threat of thunderstorms). Please RSVP by October 16th to Tom at stewardship@ci.durham.nh.us Parking will be at the Thompson Forest Preserve parking lot on Wednesday Hill Rd. Space for parking is limited, so please carpool if possible.
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TRANSFER STATION ATTENDANT SOUGHT - PART-TIME
The Town of Durham is seeking a part time Transfer Station Attendant. The position is part-time with no benefits. Applicants must be comfortable dealing with public and have a Solid Waste Operators License, level 1 minimum or the ability to obtain license within 2 months of hire. Duties include checking in residents, ensuring materials are disposed of in proper locations, ability to operate a loader and skid steer, maintenance and cleaning of facility. Pay $14-$17/Hr based on experience. Hours will be Saturday from 7am-3:30pm, potential for more hours. Valid driver’s license, background check will be performed. Applications accepted until the position is filled.
Applications are available at the Public Works Office, contact: Janice Richard, Assistant to the Director, 100 Stone Quarry Drive, Durham, NH 03824. Telephone 603-868-5578.
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COMMON MILKWEED POD COLLECTION UNDER WAY
Help support milkweed restoration for the Monarch butterfly in New Hampshire! Two of Durham’s conservation partners, NH Fish & Game and UNH Cooperative Extension, are calling on New Hampshire residents for milkweed pod collections through October 30th! The seeds from the milkweed plants' seed pods will be sown by the NH Department of Transportation into conservation corridors, designated areas along highways that are planted with native perennials to benefit pollinators. Please see all the details on how and when to collect the seeds (please only collect from properties from which you have permission to harvest) and where to drop them off HERE.
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MILL ROAD OVER OYSTER RIVER CULVERT “NHDOT Red Listed” (Br. No. 097/109)
Durham Public Works continues work with project consultant GM2 Engineers to complete a feasibility analysis of concrete lining of the invert of the existing metal pipe-arch culvert to increase the NHDOT condition rating from a Poor (4) to a Satisfactory (6) or greater resulting in removing the structure from the NH Municipal Bridge “Red List”. GM2’s work consists of wetland delineation, mapping, file survey and base plan development, Hydrologic and Hydraulic studies, rehabilitation and replacement alternative analysis that satisfy the NHDES stream crossing guidelines, scour study and cost estimates.
The deliverables provided within this scope of work will allow the Town to determine the most effective solution for this deteriorating metal arch-pipe and advance a design for construction. Construction for this project is proposed to be included in the Fiscal Year 2022 capital budget.
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STORMWATER MS4 NPDES PERMIT
Year 3 Annual Report is due September 28, 2021 - Durham Public Works in conjunction with its MS4 Permitting consultant, Environmental Partners, Inc., completed dry weather screening of all outfalls and interconnections as well as enhanced system mapping as required in the Year 3 permit, which began on July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. The public is encouraged to review the Town’s stormwater management plan and associated documents HERE. Comments about Durham’s stormwater program can be sent to ATalon@ci.durham.nh.us.
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Above is the latest image of a Durham icon by Ellie Lonske with employees who work in Town Hall included at Ellie’s suggestion. Everything is watercolor and ink except for the staff who were photoshopped into the image, including, from the left, Town Administrator Todd Selig, DCAT Coordinator Craig Stevens, Administrative Assistant Jen Berry, Town Clerk Administrative Assistant Donna Hamel, Manager of Information Technology Luke Vincent, Town Clerk Lorrie Pitt, Town Accountant Deb Ahlstrom, Assistant Town Clerk Rachel Deane, Town Planner Michael Behrendt, and Administrative Assistant Karen Edwards.
Note that the right half of the building, which includes the arched entrance and the single windows on both sides adjacent to the arch (along with the one-story addition to the right beyond), is a newer addition built by the Town when it acquired the former bank building in 2013. Also shown below are three design options (among several others) provided by architect Art Guadano, including the option that was selected by the Historic District Commission. The original building from 1980 and the Town’s addition were designed in a quasi federal-revival style, evocative of the old brick town hall across the street.
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TOWN OF DURHAM FACEBOOK AND TWITTER ACCOUNTS
Did you know that the Town has a Facebook & Twitter account and frequently posts Durham & UNH news, happenings, and articles of interest in our area and the seacoast?
Like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.
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Durham Parks and Recreation, its Director and Committee, strive to offer a wide range of quality programs, parks, and facilities that encourage all community members to participate in healthy, fun, and enriching activities. Together, they celebrate the essential role public recreation plays in fostering a cohesive and vibrant community.
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The new fall Storywalk book is ready to read! Stroll through anytime!
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October At DPL!
Join us on Tuesday, October 12th for That the People May Live: the Life and Legacy of Nicolas Black Elk, Holy Man of the Lakota just in time for Indigenous Peoples Day in Durham! And stay tuned for more info. about Outdoor Halloween Movie Night at the library on October 27th! Do you have a job seeker or recent/impending grad. in your family? Register now for The Art of Networking or A Guide to Interviewing (for graduating high school and college students) live on zoom with employment expert Gary Gekow! And Meditative Yoga is back in person! JiongJiong Hu will be guiding weekly meditative yoga class on Mondays at 10:30 am in November and December! Space will be limited.
The Youth Services Fall Programs are Open for Registration!
All programs require registration and are either outdoor or virtual at this time.This year's fall programs include Storytime, Baby Lap-sit, STEAM Saturdays to go, Raccoon Readers (2nd-4th grade book group.) Sign up for our YA (ages 10 and up) programs including, Drawing Monsters with Corinne Roberts! And get ready again for our Joint Library programs with Lee and Madbury featuring McAuliffe Shepard Stellarium on Saturday, October 16th at 10:30 am. Finally, the Patch Club has begun again! This program is generously sponsored by the Friends of the DPL.
Discover DPL online!
Did you know that DPL offers free access to a great number of digital resources including: ebooks and audiobooks, language and CE courses, streaming films and music, daily digital newspapers, job search and business marketing databases as well as much, much more? All you need is your library card! Stop by the circulation desk any time during our open hours to sign up today! Questions? Check out our website at http://www.durhampubliclibrary.org/! And as always, the library staff is available by phone during business hours at 603-868-6699 or by email at mailto:durhampl@gmail.com.
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*Academic year commences the third week of August through graduation at UNH in May.
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HISTORY IN AN OYSTERSHELL - A Brief History of Durham, NH 1600 - 1976 (A little volume that was the Heritage Project of the Durham Historic Association Bicentennial celebration)
Preface - "Since before God made the first little green apples, oysters have probably been growin in the Oyster River; and some of the largest and juiciest to be found anywhere in the world are still growing here today. The following vignettes from rollicking history of Durham town on the Oyster River are therefore presented between the shells of an oyster."
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1782 - "Portsmouth - Received of the Selectmen one hundred twenty seven Gallons, by half gallons, Rum, being a tax on the Town of Durham agreeably to an Act of Said State passed the 31st of August last. -- John Wentworth"
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Have a nice weekend. I will be in attendance at the ICMA Annual Conference in Portland, Oregon next week.
Todd
Todd I. Selig, Administrator
Town of Durham, NH
a: 8 Newmarket Rd., Durham, NH 03824 USA
t: 603.868.5571 | w: www.ci.durham.nh.us
He/him/his pronouns
Everyone can tackle climate change. How can you reduce your carbon footprint?
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