Friday Updates - September 8, 2023

Friday, September 8, 2023

The temperatures may feel like July, but don't forget it's corn season at the Tecce Farm Stand! The late Peter Smith always used to tell Admin. Selig how much he looked forward to fresh Tecce corn each year! Photo Courtesy Jean McPeak

The Durham Fire Department will be commemorating the 22nd anniversary of 9/11 with a ceremony at their building on College Road on Monday, September 11. College Road will be closed at 8:15 a.m. The ceremony will take place at 8:30 a.m., and at 9:30 a.m. College Road will re-open. All are welcome to attend.

At the Town Council meeting of September 11, 2023, Dr. Andrew Smith of the UNH Survey Center will be presenting the findings of the 2023 Durham Police Department Community Survey. To watch this meeting live at 7:00 p.m., please click HERE and then click on LIVE.

DURHAM: A UNIVERSITY TOWN PLANS FOR ITS FUTURE - We're featured in Business NH Magazine!

Business NH Magazine featured a nice article about Durham in their August issue. They highlighted the relationship between the Town and UNH and how that relates to commercial and residential challenges in the Town.

To read the full article, please click HERE.

On Wednesday, UNH President James W. “Jim” Dean Jr. announced that he will retire as the President of the University on June 30, 2024. Dean will have been president of UNH for six years by the time he retires, in addition to serving two years as interim chancellor of the state’s university system, which includes Plymouth State and Keene State universities as well as UNH-Manchester and Granite State College. The two positions were combined “on an interim basis” after Chancellor Todd Leach completed his service in June 2021.

The USNH is discussing the future governance model of the university system, including the continuation of the dual president and chancellor role.

Dean, 67, came to UNH in 2018. Before that he was vice chancellor and provost at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and was dean of UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School, where he was a professor of organizational behavior. He earned his doctorate and master’s degrees in organizational behavior from Carnegie Mellon University and his bachelor’s degree in psychology from The Catholic University of America.

Jan Dean, the retiring president's wife, served with UNH’s Student Basic Needs Initiative and as president of the Oyster River Womenade.

President Dean and his Team at UNH have been positive partners with the Town of Durham for many years now. We will wish Jim the very best!

PUBLIC FEEDBACK SOUGHT FOR UNH REACCREDITATION PROCESS

UNH is working on its regular reaccreditation by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). As part of this process, NECHE solicits public comments from various stakeholders who are knowledgeable and interested in the institution. If residents would like to read more about the process, they can click HERE. Residents can submit comments regarding the institution to:

Public Comment on UNH

New England Commission of Higher Education

3 Burlington Woods Drive, Suite 100

Burlington, MA 01803-4514

Email: info@neche.org

Public Comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of the institution. The commission cannot settle disputes between individuals and institutions, whether those involve faculty, students, administrators or members of other groups. Comments will not be treated as confidential and must include the name, address and telephone number of the person providing the comments. Public comments must be received by Oct. 24, 2023. The commission cannot guarantee that comments received after that date will be considered.

Mural from downtown University Market/Sammy's/Store 24/Ravi's Lot. Courtesy Todd Selig

DURHAM PLANS ACTIVE SHOOTER TRAINING FOR STAFF AT TOWN HALL

An active shooter/safety training is being tentatively scheduled for November. The Town Hall will close early that day. More information will be forthcoming. 

The Town regularly strives to organize such training for its most excellent staff and for the safety of the general public who frequent Durham municipal buildings.  

Mr. Selig is sorry we have to consider such training but it is necessary in this day and age.

THUNDER OVER NH AIR SHOW TO TAKE PLACE AT PEASE THIS WEEKEND, SEPT. 9-10 – Expect some airplane noise (and acrobatics) across the region!

When the Thunder Over New Hampshire Air Show last took over Seacoast air space two years ago, approximately 50,000 people saw and heard the aircraft in action, up close and personal, at the Pease Air National Guard Base. The 2023 edition of the Thunder Over New Hampshire show will take place Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 9-10. The Air Force's F-16 Viper Demo Team is headlining the performances.

The Air Force F-16 Viper Demo Team will be joined by N.H. Air National Guard KC-46A tankers, the Vermont Air National Guard F-15 Eagle, the KC-135 Demo Team from Fairchild Air Force Base, the U.S. Special Operations Command Pura Commandos, aerobatic pilot Rob Holland, the N.H. Army Guard UH-60 Blackhawk, aerobatic pilot Kent Pietsch, the P-51C “Mad Max” with pilot Lou Horschel and the Smoke-N-Thunder Jet Truck.

The air show will feature about a dozen flying performances by both military and civilian pilots and dozens of aircraft on display on the ground as well as educational hands-on activities for all ages. 

HEALTH INSURANCE COSTS ARE CLIMBING AT THE STEEPEST RATE IN YEARS

According to an article this week in the Wall Street Journal, costs for employer health coverage are expected to surge around 6.5% for 2024—potentially the biggest increase in more than a decade—according to major benefits consulting firms Mercer and Willis Towers Watson. Hospitals’ higher labor costs and heavy demand for new and expensive drugs are among the factors behind the faster cost growth. The article indicates employees will likely end up paying more out of their paychecks for coverage, yet many employers are expected to take on the lion’s share of the increase. 

Durham obtains its health insurance plans through two public employer pooled risk management organizations: HealthTrust and SchoolCare. Both are excellent organizations and ensure any savings beyond actual costs are returned to member organizations. 

The Business Office is currently working to develop cost estimates for possible increases for our FY 2024 budget.

DUE TO HIGH DEMAND AND LIMITED SUPPLY, PUBLIC WORKS CONSTRUCTION COSTS INCREASING STEEPLY ACROSS NH

Bids are running very high this year on construction projects across the board. For example, bids for our small Wagon Hill Farm bridge stream crossing project estimated at around $100,000 came in somewhere between $200,000 - $450,000 with only two bidders. The City of Portsmouth opened the bids for the Little Bay waterline project on Tuesday of this week. They had had only one bidder. The latest engineering estimate prior to the Portsmouth bid was around $8.8 million. The bid came in at $25.9 million!  

The glut of public and private construction projects at present, fueled in large part by Federal stimulus dollars, combined with supply chain challenges and other factors, is sending pricing through the roof.  

ADMINISTRATOR SELIG TO ATTEND UPCOMING ICMA CONFERENCE – October 2-5

The 2023 International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Annual Conference will be held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, TX. ICMA will bring local government professionals from around the world together for leadership and professional development, networking, and best-in-class programming. Speakers include:

• Emmitt Smith, Pro Football Hall of Fame Running Back, Speaker, Best-Selling Author and Entrepreneur who will speak about… Game On: A Championship Vision - Winning | Discipline | Leadership
• Lindsey Pollak, Workplace Consultant and One of the World’s Leading Experts on the Millennial Generation (A.K.A. Generation Y — Those Born Between 1982 to 2000), to cover the topic… The Remix: How to Lead and Succeed in the Multi-generational Workplace
• Erica Dhawan, Leading Authority on Collaboration and Innovation. Bestselling Author. Named “Oprah of the Management Thinkers” and Ranked #1 of Top Women Keynote Speakers of 2020, who will cover … Get Big Things Done: The Power of Correctional Intelligence
• Dr. Samuel Ramsey, Inspirational Changemaker in Science & Society; Cutting-Edge Communicator | Founder & Director of The Ramsey Research Foundation. Topic focus… You Can and You Will: Finding Resilience on the Path to Success

Administrator Selig will also be receiving a 30-year service award recognition for local government service at this year’s conference.  

DURHAM/UNH PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM MEETS/EXCEEDS PFAS PFOA STANDARDS

The Town/University water system tested for PFAS and PFOA in 2020 and showed negligible amounts and was well under the established regulatory limits. The water system has reported on this data as part of our annual Consumer Confidence Report, which is available online and other locations (Town Hall, Library).  

Staff from DPW met with members of the Integrated Waste Management Advisory Committee to discuss the possibility of transitioning to a volume-based trash collection system in Durham. Courtesy Todd Selig

PLANNING BOARD NEWS - CIP early draft to be presented to the Board on September 13

The Capital Improvements Program (CIP) is prepared by the Administrator and adopted by the Town Council, but a draft is presented to the Planning Board first to obtain valuable comments and recommendations from board members, who review the draft with particular consideration of the Town’s Master Plan and other planning needs. You can see the draft CIP requests submitted by departments (but yet to be reviewed by the Administrator) HERE. 

Durham's capital improvements program includes projected major expenditures over the following ten years. The approved amounts for each year serve as guides for the community when preparing each annual budget, particularly with respect to capital items, which are included as part of the upcoming year's annual budget proposal prepared/submitted by the Administrator. 

A capital improvements program provides many benefits including:

• Allowing for a systematic evaluation of all potential projects at the same time.
• Stabilizing debt and consolidating projects to reduce borrowing costs.
• Communicating with the public about large-scale plans.
• Ensuring the efficient use of public funds.
• Informing other units of government of the Town’s priorities.

CONSERVATION COMMISSION HEARS PRESENTATION ON TREE HEALTH

Nick Lanzer, a member of the Conservation Commission, gave a compelling presentation to the commission about tree health at the July meeting. You can see the presentation HERE (item 10). Nick is a professional forester and a licensed pesticide applicator.

September marks the kick-off to IWMAC’s Sustainable Durham educational campaign. We have received many questions from residents about recycling, so the Integrated Waste Management Advisory Committee decided to begin the campaign with this month’s theme, “Recycle Right”.

Did you know that only tops of pizza boxes (no grease stains or leftover food) can be recycled, but you can put the entire pizza box (grease, leftover food and all) into the compost bins at the transfer station? (Minus any plastics in the box, of course.)

Did you know that all dark colored or black plastic should be placed in the trash because it is missed by optical sorters at recycling sorting facilities and will end up contaminating other recyclable material?

Did you know that paper coffee cups are lined with plastic and therefore, cannot be recycled? Coffee cup lids cannot be recycled either and must go in the garbage as well.

Brought to you by the IWMAC Committee 

Questions about recycling or composting? Email us at DurhamRecycles603@gmail.com

DURHAM BUSINESSES PASS ALCOHOL COMPLIANCE CHECK

On Thursday, September 7th, 2023, the Durham Police Department, in conjunction with the New Hampshire Liquor Commission Law Enforcement Division, conducted an alcohol compliance check at all vendors who are licensed to sell such products in Durham.

An underage volunteer, trained by the New Hampshire Liquor Commission to perform compliance checks, attempted to purchase alcohol products from twenty locations in Durham that are licensed to sell such products.



All establishments passed this check and successfully identified the underage buyer, refusing to sell them any alcohol.

FALL HUNTING SEASON IS UPON US - Remember to Wear Orange When You Are In the Woods!

The Durham Police Department would like to remind all community members that fall hunting season begins soon in New Hampshire, and it is important to stay safe and wear orange when entering the woods. All dates listed below may be subject to limitations in certain areas. Please visit the website HERE for updated information concerning when and where hunting is authorized to occur.

September 1                              Black bear/dates vary for method and WMU

September - January                 Waterfowl/dates vary by species and zone

September 15 - December 15     Deer/archery

September 15 - December 15    Fall turkey/archery

October 16 - October 22             Fall turkey/shotgun 

September - March                    Small game and furbearers/dates vary by species and region

October 1 - December 31           Pheasant

October 21 - October 29             Moose (by permit only)

October 21 - 22                          Youth deer-hunting weekend

October 28 - November 7           Deer/muzzle loader

November 8 - December 3         Deer/regular firearms (closes one week early in WMU A)

McGregor Memorial EMS congratulates Robert Cousins, who was recently named the US Correspondence Chess Champion. This title was the culmination of a championship match between 17 players which has been ongoing since March of 2022. A former captain of the Dartmouth chess team, Robert currently serves the community as a staff paramedic in addition to overseeing McGregor's Mobile Integrated Health (Community Paramedicine) and Quality Assurance programs. Robert hopes to next qualify for the world championship match.

Firefighter Scott Campbell retired from the Durham Fire Department effective August 31, 2023.

Scott has served the department and the community with honor and distinction since he was hired as a career firefighter on December 20, 2001. 

In addition to his duties as a firefighter/AEMT, Scott has filled many leadership roles within the department including serving as a CPR instructor as well as serving on the Durham Professional Firefighters Association Executive Board as president of IAFF Local 2253 and serving on the negotiating committee. He has also been a pioneer, leader, and mentor in firefighter physical fitness. 

A retirement reception was held at the fire station on August 31, 2023, to thank Scott for his many years of dedicated service and to wish Scott and his family all the best in the years ahead.      

The Durham Professional Firefighters Local #2253 would like to introduce Smokey the Fire Dog. Smokey will give short tips on Fire Safety, weekly so Parents and guardians can generate conversation with their children about Fire Safety. Keep an eye out in the weekly updates These small questions and tips are a great way for you as a Parent to teach your kids about Fire Safety, the more they know the safer they will be.

WEEK #35

The summer has been fun but it’s time for us all to start thinking about going back to school. For some helpful tips on getting back to the start of the school year, click HERE.

DURHAM REPRESENTATIVES SOUGHT FOR LAMPREY RIVER ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Lamprey River Advisory Committee is looking for some additional members as representatives from Durham. The Committee meets every third Tuesday evening of the month.

If you are interested, please contact Administrative Assistant, Karen Edwards, at kedwards@ci.durham.nh.us. You can learn more about the Lamprey River Local Advisory Committee HERE.

JOB OPENING FOR REGULAR PART-TIME MECHANIC

The Public Works Department is seeking a highly qualified team member to serve in the role of Regular Part-Time Equipment Mechanic.

The successful candidate will assist the Fleet Services Supervisor in the maintenance, repair, and installation of a variety of mechanical and electrical equipment within the Public Works Fleet. Responsibilities include diagnosing and troubleshooting equipment malfunctions, performing regular preventative maintenance on equipment, ensuring equipment is operating safely and efficiently, and keeping accurate and detailed maintenance records. In this versatile and exciting role, you will report to the Fleet Services Supervisor and Operations Manager.

The salary for this position is $23.00 - $25.00/hr, depending upon qualifications. Flexible scheduling is available for this 24 hour per week position, with normal work hours from 7:00am – 3:30pm Monday – Friday.

The successful candidate will have a minimum of (1) year of experience or formal training in the maintenance of fleet vehicles and heavy equipment. Possession of a Class B Commercial Driver’s License and State Inspection Certification desired.

Applications are available at the Department of Public Works Main office or online at www.ci.durham.nh.us/jobs.

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

JOB OPENING FOR PART-TIME TRANSFER STATION ATTENDANT

The Department is seeking a highly qualified team member to join an exceptional team of Public Works professionals to serve in the role of Transfer Station Attendant.

The successful candidate will assist in the operation of the Raymond A. LaRoche, Sr. Transfer Station and Recycling Center during public open hours on Saturdays. The Transfer Station Attendant will frequently interact with residents to ensure that materials are placed in the proper receptacles and answers questions regarding solid waste and recycling. Additionally, the Attendant will perform general facility maintenance and cleaning as well as operates a skid steer and backhoe to transport/consolidate materials.

The salary for this part-time position is $17/hr.

The successful candidate will possess an NHDES Solid Waste Operator License or the ability to obtain within (6) months of hire.

Applications are available at the Department of Public Works Main office or online at www.ci.durham.nh.us/jobs.

Please send resume and completed application to Town of Durham, Department of Public Works, Attn: Shannon Shaw, Assistant to the Public Works Director, 100 Stone Quarry Drive, Durham, NH 03824 or by email to sshaw@ci.durham.nh.us.

ORCSD SURVEY AND FOCUS GROUPS FOR SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH

The Superintendent Search Committee and The New England School Development Council (NESDEC) will provide two opportunities for Oyster River parents, guardians, students, staff, and community members to assist with the search. A survey will be made available on the superintendent search page - HERE - starting September 15, and NESDEC will host two focus group opportunities, on September 27 (remote) and October 4 (in person). Time and location will be provided by the district next week. Feedback collected from both the survey and focus groups will be used to establish a profile of the preferred candidate.

MIDDLE SCHOOL NEW BLEACHER INSTALLATION COMPLETE

The Oyster River Middle School is happy to report that the new bleacher installation has been completed. The Middle School is very grateful for the community's support which allows for the continued improvement of Oyster River students' learning experiences. ORMS looks forward to seeing you in attendance at one of the outdoor events this year!

HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS ARE IN FULL SWING!

The Oyster River community is warmly invited to view the Oyster River High School's athletics schedules HERE and come support our athletes.

ORCSD FREE AND REDUCED MEALS APPLICATIONS

Free and reduced meals applications can be completed online HERE. Applications are also available for Oyster River families at each school's front office and nurse's office upon request. Please be sure the application you complete has the current school year listed on it as we are, unfortunately, unable to accept previous years' applications.

OYSTER RIVER SCHOOL BOARD NEWS

The school board heard from administrators from all the schools, and they have all reported a fun and successful start to the year! Each building will be hosting open houses for everyone in the coming weeks. Mast Way and Moharimet on Sept. 28th, ORMS on Sept. 19th, and ORHS on Oct. 5th. Details on times can be found on each school website.

Speaking of the website … the district would love to get your input. A link to a fast and easy survey is available on multiple pages on the site and will be open until September 30th. Please let us know how we can improve.

Several important events are happening over the next few weeks.

• The DEIJ Community Group will be meeting on Sept. 6th at 6pm
• ORHS will be hosting a Senior College Night on Sept. 12
• Mast Way will be holding technology nights for parents. This will help parents/guardians learn about how their students will be using technology during the year. Sept. 13th will be for kindergarten and Sept. 14th will be for all other grades.