Friday Updates - September 12, 2025

Friday, September 12, 2025

Morning at the Town Landing Courtesy, Scott Schaier

TOWN COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA ITEMS FOR SEPTEMBER 15

• Request by Parks & Recreation Department for road closures on October 26, 2025 for Downtown Trick-or-Treat
• Request to appoint Elliot Ng as an alternate to the Land Stewardship Subcommittee
• Presentation by UNH Sustainability Capstone Group on Composting Challenge for Town Councilors and Town Employees
• Extended time for Councilor Roundtable Discussion

MADBURY ROAD COMPLETE STREET PROJECT UPDATE

The project team continues to make steady progress on Phase 3 of the Madbury Road Complete Streets Project, between Garrison Avenue and Edgewood Road, while the Phase 2 portion, between Main Street and Garrison Avenue nears substantial completion. A Detailed update around Phase 3 progress can be found below:

Phase 3 Madbury Road

Recent weeks have featured roadway base preparation, including milling, reclamation, and ultimately binder course paving, which was completed this week. Final wearing course paving will take place in the spring/summer of 2026. Over the next few weeks work will include granite curbing installation along with select utility pole relocations. Thereafter, center traffic calming island construction and sidewalk / multi-use path base preparation will be the focus. Durham Public Works greatly appreciates the continued patience of the residents and other stakeholders within the project limits as they work to complete these necessary infrastructure improvements and beautify Madbury Road.

9/11 Ceremony this week outside the Fire Department building Courtesy, Will Lenharth

DURHAM WITHIN A SEVERE DROUGHT CONDITION - Wise water use requested

The Durham/UNH Water System would like to advise customers that effective Thursday September 11, the region has entered a D2 category severe drought condition and asks system users to practice wise water use.  Practices may include:

• Limiting the irrigation of landscaped areas using hose-end sprinklers or automatic systems
• Water gardens, trees, flowers or other landscaped areas with handheld hose, a faucet filled bucket or watering can
• Utilize soaker hoses when irrigation is necessary
• Limit vehicle washing with bucket or hand-held hose with automatic shut-off
• Draw less water for bath or reduce shower time
• Do not let water run while shaving, dish washing, brushing teeth, etc. 
• Keep pools covered if not used on a daily basis
• Use water displacement device in toilet tank
• Install aerators on faucets
• Utilize water reuse where possible
• Replacement or retrofits with ultra-low flow fixtures is encouraged
• If necessary, use a broom or blower instead of a hose to wash off driveways, decks, etc.
• Use commercial car washes that recycle water
• Take measures to prevent runoff from your property from reaching streets, sidewalks, or impervious areas.

TOWN COUNCIL REQUESTS CHANGES TO PROPOSED ZONING AMENDMENT ON BUILDING HEIGHT

The Town Council on Monday night deliberated on an Ordinance proposed by the Housing Task Force and Planning Board to remove the current three-store height limit in the easterly portion of Central Business-1 Zone to allow for four and five stories as permitted in the rest of the Zone. Many residents stated to the Town Council their opposition to the change due to concern that taller buildings in this section would be out of scale and damage the character of the downtown. Others stated that if the height limit in the easterly portion remains at three stories, there will not be a sufficient incentive for builders to redevelop properties in need of new investment. 

After much discussion, the Town Council asked the Town Planner and retired UNH Campus Architect Doug Bencks to work on new language for the ordinance applicable to the easterly section that would allow up to four stories with a setback of the top floor or allow up to 3-1/2 stories with a pitched roof (and probably dormers), allowable by right. Once the Town Council approves the revised language the amendment will be sent back to the Planning Board for consideration. You can see various documents related to the proposal HERE. 

Officers from Durham and Strafford County attend the 24th Anniversary in remembrance of September 11th Ceremony organized by members of the Durham Fire Department. Pictured left to right: Captain John Lavoie, Officer CJ Young, Officer Sean Malonson, Officer James Hatfield, Sergeant Mike Nicolosi, Sheriff Kathryn Mone, Sheriff Deputy Ray Pardy, Detective Emily Bolton, and Parking Services Officer Sandra Hebert (Not pictured, Deputy Chief Jack Dalton) Courtesy, Jack Dalton

INFORMATIONAL SESSION ON HOUSING TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 7 AT 10:00 A.M.

The Durham Housing Task Force is holding an informational session on a set of proposed zoning amendments designed to expand housing opportunities in town. If you are interested in learning more, please join the Task Force on Tuesday, October 7, at 10:00 am in the Town Council Chambers. You can see the proposal, which includes changes to the tables and the text of the Zoning Ordinance, HERE. The Task Force will be presenting these amendments to the Planning Board in the next few months as the board’s schedule allows. You can see numerous other interesting documents related to housing on the Task Force website HERE. 

The Housing Task Force will be sunsetted next month. It was established by the Town Council for the purpose of examining housing issues and proposing appropriate changes. With this zoning proposal, the work of the Task Force is completed (though the members will continue to shepherd this amendment through the review process with the Planning Board and Town Council).

Accomplishments of the Housing Task Force over the past few years include:

• Contracting for the preparation of a Housing Needs Assessment for Durham;
• Conducting extensive outreach efforts to learn about the community’s ideas about housing;
• Helping to create the Durham Attainable Housing Ordinance;
• Developing four strategies to help revitalize the downtown and bring more housing downtown (including three zoning initiatives and changes to the RSA 79-E program); and
• Preparation of the zoning amendments referred to above.

MILL ROAD CROSSWALK AND ADA COMPLIANT CURB RAMP INSTALLATION

Working in partnership with the owner of Mill Plaza, Torrington Properties, the installation of ADA compliant curb ramps and painted crosswalk located at Mill Plaza and Commons Way has been completed. Beginning on Monday September 15, the installation of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB’s) will take place to improve pedestrian safety in the newly relocated crosswalk. 

Many thanks to Sarah Baker and Matt Higgins of Alpha Tau Omega for working with the Town to create this plaque at 18 Garrison Avenue. As part of the site plan approval in 2021 for ATO’s new building, the Planning Board asked the fraternity if they would consider installing a plaque at the property to recognize Elizabeth DeMeritt (a friendly request, not a requirement). ATO was happy to oblige, paying for and installing the plaque. 

Knowing what you can and cannot recycle is not always easy. We often receive emails asking whether or not specific items can be recycled, so we thought we would clear up some of these questions here. 

Junk Mail

Junk mail can be recycled! Please remove staples and any plastic credit cards inside. Plastic windows are ok.

NOTE: You can opt out of receiving catalogs, coupons and credit card solicitations. Sign up at www.catalogchoice.org and www.dmachoice.org.

Juice, Soup, Milk Box (Cartons)

These items belong in the garbage.  Any accompanying plastic caps or straws also belong in the garbage. NOTE: We Fill Good in Kittery, ME does accept plastic caps for recycling as part of their TerraCycle program. Please call the store for details. 207-703-2739

Tofu Containers

Tofu containers can be recycled. Please remove as much of the plastic film top as possible. Rinse or wipe out before recycling.

Meat Trays

Whether the meat trays are clear plastic, black plastic, Styrofoam or frozen… they all go in the garbage!

Wine Bottles

Wine bottles can be recycled. Please be sure they are empty and rinsed before you put them in the recycling bin. Wine corks cannot be recycled, but wooden corks can be composted with Mr. Fox at the transfer station.

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.

Ten years ago, The Freedom Café opened its doors with a simple but powerful vision: to create a space where awareness turns into action, where a cup of coffee could spark conversation, and where everyday people could help build an exploitation-free world. What started as a small community & student partnership in 2015 has since grown into a community movement – welcoming thousands of people through its doors, training hundreds of ORCSD and UNH students, as well as, Durham and seacoast residents and professionals, and supporting survivors and partner organizations doing life-saving work on the front lines. 

To commemorate this 10-year milestone and rally even more support, The Freedom Café is hosting a special event: “Festival in the Field” – a Benefit Concert & Eco-Vendor Fair to Fight Exploitation. This family-friendly festival will take place on Saturday, September 27, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Tuckaway Farm (4 Captain Smith Emerson Rd, Lee – just minutes from downtown Durham). For more information & Tickets, click HERE.

The Durham Police are happy to announce the hiring of Parking Services Officer Daren Baumgardt.

Prior to being hired in Durham, Daren worked for the Fort Lee, NJ Police Department for 20+ years as a police officer. During his tenure, Daren received numerous awards, which included recognition for community outreach. In 2010, Baumgardt assisted Fort Worth with the implantation of their “Street Smart is Street Safe” program, which was designed to protect the safety of school children and School Crossing Guards. Additionally, he served in the General Investigations Division, Narcotics Division, and the Traffic Division. He was also a member of the Motorcycle Unit, Fatal Accident Investigation Unit, and Emergency Services Unit. 

Daren is also a Marine Corps veteran, serving 4 years on active duty. He was honorably discharged in 1996, holding the rank of Sergeant.

Daren has been a great addition to our Parking Department, as many of you have already experienced during your interactions with him downtown. If you see him around town, please stop and say hello!

Earlier this academic semester, Chief Kelley partnered with Dr. Andrew Macpherson – professor of Homeland Security at UNH, to work on a capstone project for seniors in the program. The program, suggested by Chief Kelley, was to find ways to better notify and alert the Durham community to potential hazards and dangerous situations. In an effort to encompass all aspects of the project, the team is looking at numerous vendors and products including options that New Hampshire 911 already has in place. The final presentation will be made to members of the Durham Police department later this fall.

On September 16, there is scheduled police training that will be held at the New England Center, located at 15 Strafford Avenue.

Additional training will take place on UNH property at #283 and #285 Mast Road. 

Both trainings will be conducted indoors. There will be highly visible police training signs posted in both areas.

This is not an ICE training.

In the market for a better night's sleep? The Oyster River Music Association (ORMA) is sponsoring a mattress sale on Saturday, September 27, 2025, to raise funds for our Oyster River High School musicians! The students are working to travel to Orlando, Florida to perform at Universal Studios this spring.

This name-brand mattress sale will benefit student musicians right here in our community! Enjoy a full showroom setup at the Oyster River High School from 10:00 .m. - 4:00 p.m. with a variety of brand name mattresses to try out and custom order. Financing is available. If you're hungry, be sure to stop by the bake sale! All proceeds fund Oyster River musicians! For more information find ORMA on Facebook and Instagram!

Shadows along Foss Farm Trail on a warm day Courtesy, Carol Birch

OYSTER RIVER SCHOOL NEWS

September 18: Granite Edvance Senior College Night

A free information session for high school seniors and their families dedicated to providing important information about higher education and career planning. In collaboration with Granite Edvance. September 18, 6:00-7:30 p.m., Auditorium at Oyster River High School (55 Coe Dr, Durham, NH 03824).

Preschool Program Openings

We currently have openings in our afternoon preschool group. The afternoon program runs Monday to Thursday, 12:00-2:30 p.m., and serves 4 years old students. Please contact PEP Coordinator Diana Eisenhaure HERE or call 603-868-2375 ext. 6103 for additional details.

Transportation Information 

Our Transportation team is hiring! If you or someone you know would like to drive a van or a bus, please contact Director of Transportation Trisha Daley at 603-868-1610 or by email at tdaley@orcsd.org. Additional details are available HERE.

Nutrition Assistance Programs

ORCSD's Free & Reduced Lunch program information may be found HERE. To continue receiving free or reduced meals for the 2025-2026 school year, your application must be received by October 11, 2025. Additional assistance is also offered by End 68 Hours of Hunger and Community Action Partnership of Strafford County.

ORCSD School Board Updates

ORCSD school board meetings recordings are available on the ORCSD YouTube channel HERE, and the agendas and minutes are available HERE. School board meetings are live streamed on the ORCSD Streaming channel HERE.

UNH’s Sustainability Institute and Health & Wellness invite you to a day of exploration, inspiration, and cultivation of a community committed to supporting health, well-being, and sustainability for all.

The Sustainability Institute and Health & Wellness are grateful to partner with the UNH Center for the Humanities to bring this event to our community. The Saul O Sidore Memorial Lecture Series was established in 1965 in memory of Saul O Sidore of Manchester, New Hampshire. The purpose of the series is to offer the University community and the state of New Hampshire programs that raise critical and sometimes controversial issues facing our society. The University of New Hampshire Center for the Humanities sponsors the programs.

Lectures are free and open to the public, but you must register to attend. To learn more and register, click HERE.