2024 Annual Report
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D U R H A M Town of Durham Maine Maine’s 69th Town 235th Annual Report January 1, 2024 ~ December 31, 2024
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Durham Ferry - Date Unknown
“Little Brown Church” (Original Durham Congregational Church)
Bowie Hill Farm Date Unknown
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235TH ANNUAL REPORT & WARRANT TOWN OF DURHAM, MAINE
For the year ending December 31, 2024
Durham Town Office 630 Hallowell Road Durham, Maine 04222 Tel: 207-353-2561 Fax: 207-353-5367
Website: durhammaine.gov Facebook: facebook.com/townofdurham/ YouTube Channel: durhammaine.tv
Photo Credits: Kimberly Garneau, Jessica Landberg, Betsy Talbot, Rob Tripp, Tia Wilson & Durham Historical Society
Design Credit: Kimberly Garneau
Cover Photo: Early morning fog on the Androscoggin River off Cedar Pond Road.
2 2024 Town of Durham, Maine Annual Report
Helpful Information
Androscoggin Sheriffs Department 207-753-2500 (Non-Emergency) Sheriff Eric Samson esamson@androscoggincountymaine.gov
Chief Deputy William Gagne wgagne@androscoggincountymaine.gov
Androscoggin County Commissioners 207-753-2500 (Ext. 1801)
Androscoggin Registry of Deeds Freeport High School
207-753-2500 (Ext. 1981) Tel: 207-865-4706
Website: fhs.rsu5.org
Animal Control Officer, Jeff Cooper
207-353-2500 (Ext. 340) Game Warden Service
1-800-452-4664
Casella Waste Systems, Inc.
1-888-485-1469 or www.casella.com/casella General Assistance (Hotline)
1-800-442-6003
Codes Official
207-725-5051 Greater Androscoggin Humane Society
info@gahumane.org
Durham Fire & Rescue 207-783-2311
(Emergency) 911
(Non-Emergency/Health Officer/EMA Director) Lisbon Post Office
207-353-2473 207-353-4935 or 1-800-275-8777
Durham Community School Maine Department of Human Services
Tel: 207-353-9333 207-287-3707
dcs.rsu5.org
Maine Dept. of Environmental Protection Services
Durham Public Works Department 207-287-7688 or 1-800-452-1942
Garage (207) 353-3281
Road Commissioner (207) 844-1774 Maine Department of Transportation
207-624-3000
Durham Town Office
207-353-2561 Maine Poison Control
Town Manager - Ext. 110 1-800-222-1222
Town Clerk - Ext. 111
(Fax) 207-353-5367 Maine State Police (Troop B)
(Website) durhammaine.gov 207-624-7076 or 1-800-452-46643 2024 Town of Durham, Maine Annual Report
Table of Contents
Town Office Information 2
Helpful Phone Numbers 3
Table of Contents 4
Town Officers, Committees & Officials 5
In Memoriam 6
Select Board Report 7-8
Town Manager Report 9 - 10
Town Clerk Report 11
Transitions 12 - 13
Giving Tree/Ornament Parade 13
Outstanding Real Estate Tax 14 - 16 Cemetery Committee Report 35
Eureka Committee Report 36
Solid Waste Report 37 - 38
Animal Control Report 39
Proposed Municipal Budget 40 - 59
2024 Town Warrant Report 60 - 67
Governor Janet Mills Letter 68
Senator Susan Collins Letter 69
Senator Angus King Letter 70
Senator Bruce Bickford 71
State Representative Webb 72
Holiday Closings 73
Outstanding Personal Property Tax 16
Fire, Rescue & EMA Report 17- 18
Forest Warden Report 19
Ladies Auxiliary Report 20
Road Commissioner Report 21 - 22
Board of Assessor Report 23 - 24
Code Enforcement Report 25 - 26
Planning Board Report 27 - 28
Conservation Commission Report 29
RSU5 Superintendent Report 30
Historical Society Report 31 - 32
Historic District Commission Report. 33 - 344 2024 Town of Durham, Maine Annual Report
Town Officers, Committees & Officials As of December 31, 2024
Town Manager Select Board
Jerry Douglass Joe Roy, Chair 2026
Josh Klein-Golden, Vice Chair 2025
Clerk/Registrar/Deputy Tax Joseph Tomm 2025
Heather Roy 2026
Collector/Deputy Treasurer/ Deborah Oliver 2027
GA Administrator
Jessica Landberg Planning Board
John Talbot, Chair 2026
Deputy Treasurer/Deputy Clerk/ Juliet Caplinger, Vice-Chair 2027
Deputy Tax Collector Marc Derr 2029
Cynthia Faragi Brian Lanoie 2028 Agriculture Committee
Allan Purinton 2027 David Colson, Co-Chair
Deputy Clerk/Deputy Treasurer/ Tyler Hutchison, Alternate 2026 Jonah Fertig-Burd, Co-Chair
Information Technology Officer Anne Torregrossa, Alternate 2027 Steven Sinisi, Secretary
Devin Garneau Meaghan Grimes
Board of Appeals Gary Goodrich
Deputy Clerk/Deputy Treasurer/ Paul First, Chair 2025 Claire Ross
Public Information Officer Darin Baker 2029 Eric Day
Kimberly Garneau Neil Berry 2027
Terry Kirk 2025 Cemetery Committee
Animal Control Officer Milton Simon 2027 Tia Wilson, Chair
Jeff Cooper Byron Philbrick, Alternate 2028 Linda Bowie, Vice Chair
Lindsey Lopes, Secretary
Assessor Budget Committee Philip Baker
Donna Hays Milton Simon, Chair 2026 Joseph Donovick
Jill Gastonguay, Vice Chair 2025 Natasha Skelton
Code Enforcement Officer Neil Berry 2027 Greg Wilson
Alan Plummer Phyllis Brannon 2027 Conservation Commission
Donna Church 2026 Jess Costa, Chair
Town Planner Marc Derr 2027 Roberta Brezinski
George Thebarge Allan Purinton 2026 Samantha Cuccaro
Jane Rice 2025 Michael Friendly
Fire Rescue Chief/Fire Warden/ John Talbot 2025 Jeffrey Tindall
Emergency Management Director
Robert J. Tripp Historic District Commission Eureka Center Committee
Curtis Dimock, Assistant Lois Kilby-Chesley, Chair 2025 Pearl Scribner
Candace deCsipkes, Vice Chair 2027 Jeanne Costigan
Fire/EMS Office Manager Emily Alexander 2027 Kathleen Lowe
Diana Dimock Paula Erdmann-Purdy 2025 Anita Sellars
David McLellan 2026 Cathy Sentner
EMS Deputy Chief Sandra Hilton, Alternate 2026
Scholarship Committee
John Faith Christine Cormier
RSU5 School Board Committee
Susan Hardison
Road Commissioner Michelle Ritcheson, Chair 2025
Candace deCsipkes 2024 Kendra O’Connell
Calvin Beaumier Jonathan Pollock
Danielle George 2026
Public Works Solid Waste Committee
Ron Dubé On Call Curtis Dimock, Chair
Thomas Griswold Brandon Wilkins Juliet Caplinger, Vice Chair
Ryan Henry Alex Brookhouse Board, Committee or Commission Jill Schofield, Secretary
Clifton Larrabee, Jr. Mark Blake Members with dates are appointed or elected Claire Ross
for multi-year terms. Milton Simon
Brian Wilson
Elmer Allen Todd Beaulieu, Alternate5 2024 Town of Durham, Maine Annual Report
In Memoriam Roxie Lee Dobson March 23, 1954 ~ September 15, 2024
On September 15, 2024, the community lost a dear friend and the Fire Department family lost a sister. Roxie was a long-time dispatcher, support member and Ladies Auxiliary Member. She volunteered for multiple organizations throughout the community. She was a member of the fire service for over 30 years, a substitute Ed Tech for Durham and Lisbon schools and she earned her First Responder License in 2007 and responded with Durham Rescue.
Chief Rob Tripp shared these words at Roxie’s celebration of life. “Roxie was a mother figure to many and when you have a good one, sometimes you have to share. Her passion was infectious as she inspired others not to just join our department, but to serve with integrity and most importantly with heart. Beyond her heroics in uniform, her enthusiasm was contagious. As we say goodbye, let us remember her not with sadness, but with gratitude for the time we shared with her. Let us honor her memory by carrying forward her spirit of family and service in our lives. Gear #83 is now retired from service, for no one could fill her shoes.”
“Roxie was a kind loving soul always looking for a way to help somebody.” ~ Chief St. Michel
6 2024 Town of Durham, Maine Annual Report
Select Board Report 2024 was a busy year for the Select Board as we worked to address both the current and future needs of our community. We began the year by gathering input from various boards and committees to understand their priorities. Based on this feedback, we ranked these priorities and developed a plan to address the most pressing needs. Some key initiatives included:
• Enhancing communication and community engagement
• Increasing revenue
• Improving departmental efficiencies
• Identifying cost-saving opportunities
• Evaluating and updating our land use ordinance
• Exploring a Battery Energy Storage Moratorium
• Assessing law enforcement needs
• Replacing our retiring legal counsel
• Initiating a property re-evaluation
• Establishing an Agriculture Committee and a Solid Waste Committee
• Steering Committee for Municipal Facilities Planning
This year, we transitioned our website to a new vendor, specifically designed for municipalities. This change has significantly improved our ability to manage the site in-house and enhanced our ability to share agendas, documents, notes, and meeting recordings. While further improvements are planned, we are pleased with the progress. In response to community feedback, we also launched a text service for important updates which allows for communication during power outages or breaks in internet service. To subscribe, text "DURHAMALERTS" to 91896.
To ensure financial sustainability, we reviewed and adjusted our town's fee schedule to better align with regional fees, resulting in increased revenue. Additionally, our town manager successfully negotiated higher interest rates on our fund balance, generating over $100,000 in new investment revenue. Town staff also secured significant grant funding to offset expenses, including over $19,500 in savings and grants through our membership with the Greater Portland Council of Governments. Furthermore, the town manager continues to identify opportunities to enhance efficiency and secure cost-effective vendors.
In response to community concerns, we explored law enforcement coverage for the town. Recognizing this was an important issue, we conducted a straw poll during the presidential election, which indicated that the majority of residents did not wish to pursue additional services at this time. We appreciate this clear feedback and have adjusted our approach accordingly.
Similarly, community members expressed concerns about Battery Energy Storage Systems. As a result, we enacted a six-month moratorium through a special town meeting. A comprehensive ordinance was then developed with input from the Planning Board, Conservation Commission, Town Planner, Code Enforcement Officer, Town Attorney, Town Manager, Select Board, and community members. This ordinance will be voted on at the annual town meeting. We extend our thanks to all who contributed to this effort.
This year, we also initiated a facilitated downtown envisioning process through a grant award. The Downtown Envisioning Committee is leading efforts to gather input regarding the municipal area surrounding the Eureka Center, Town Office, Fire Station, and Ball Field. This process will help guide future decisions to align with community priorities. We value diverse perspectives and encourage all residents to share their vision for this area.
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A major initiative this year has been transitioning our budgeting process into a fiscal year cycle. Currently, our budget follows the calendar year, running from January to December. This approach has required us to estimate school and county tax increases, as well as state revenue sharing, since these figures are finalized after our town meeting.
By shifting to a fiscal year cycle (July 1 to June 30), we will align our budget with these entities, improving financial accuracy and responsibility. This transition requires a one-time 18-month budget period and moving forward, our annual budget will run from July 1st to June 30th, putting us in line with the school, county, and state.
The Select Board accomplished a great deal this year, but none of it would have been possible without our community. Many residents generously volunteer their time on boards, committees, and commissions, or provide valuable public input. Together, we are stronger, and we are grateful for the dedication of our town staff and engaged community members. We look forward to continued success in the coming year.
In community,
Joseph Roy, Select Board Chair Joshua Klein-Golden, Select Board Vice Chair
Joseph Tomm Heather Roy Deborah Oliver
Select Board Members from left to right: Heather Roy, Deborah Oliver, Joseph Roy (Chair), Josh Klein-Golden (Vice Chair) and Joseph Tomm.
8 2024 Town of Durham, Maine Annual Report
Town Manager’s Report It is with great gratitude and humility that I submit this year’s Town Manager’s Report. I want to begin by thanking the community for the privilege of serving as your Town Manager. It is an honor to work with and for the residents of Durham, and I remain committed to supporting our town in every way possible.
I would like to take a moment to recognize Joe Tomm for his years of service on the Select Board and to the community. His dedication and leadership have made a lasting impact, and we are grateful for his contributions. I also want to warmly welcome Deborah Oliver to the Select Board. We look forward to her insights and collaboration as we continue to navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead.
I extend my heartfelt thanks to the hardworking staff who provide the high-quality services our community has come to expect. Their dedication and efficiency have allowed us to maintain these services without the need to add additional employees, ensuring we remain fiscally responsible.
I am pleased to report that the town is in excellent financial shape, with a healthy fund balance. This strong position reflects our collective commitment to careful budgeting and financial stewardship.
This past year, the town received grant funding to replace the town hall generator, an important infrastructure improvement that will help ensure the continuity of town operations during power outages and emergencies. Additionally, we secured $23,000 in grant funding from the Greater Portland Council of Governments to engage the community in a town facilities study. This study will assess our town facilities, including the Fire Station, Town Office, Eureka Community Center, and the need for additional meeting space. The input from this study will be invaluable in planning for the future of our community.
In an effort to improve communication with residents, the town has implemented a texting service to provide notifications about important meetings and community events. This service has been well- received and ensures timely and convenient updates for our residents.
After identifying cybersecurity vulnerabilities, the Select Board took proactive steps to safeguard the town’s digital infrastructure by partnering with a managed service provider (MSP). This collaboration has strengthened Durham’s security through advanced threat detection, continuous system monitoring, and proactive risk mitigation. With professional oversight, the town is better protected against data breaches, ransomware attacks, system failures, and unauthorized access to sensitive records. Without dedicated IT management, these threats could disrupt municipal operations, compromise resident data, and lead to costly recovery efforts. By investing in expert cybersecurity services, Durham reinforces its commitment to protecting critical systems and maintaining public trust.
9 2024 Town of Durham, Maine Annual Report
Two new committees have been formed this year to address important issues in our community. The Solid Waste Committee is exploring ways to address the rising costs of trash pickup, including a cost- benefit analysis of alternative programs such as composting or establishing a transfer station. Meanwhile, the newly formed Agriculture Committee is focused on sustaining agriculture in Durham and preserving it as a vital part of our town’s identity and heritage.
Looking ahead, we face challenges that will require continued collaboration and engagement. One key priority is finding ways to offset taxes through development that aligns with the rural character of Durham. At the same time, affordable housing remains a significant concern, both statewide and in our community as the cost of building and buying homes continues to rise. Addressing these issues will require innovative solutions and input from all stakeholders.
Thank you for your ongoing support and involvement in our community. Together, we can build on our successes and tackle the challenges ahead to ensure Durham remains a wonderful place to live.
Respectfully submitted,
Jerry Douglass Town Manager
10 2024 Town of Durham, Maine Annual Report
Town Clerk Report
The Town Clerk’s office is the record keeping department for the Town of Durham. The office issues licenses and maintains and preserves vital records (birth, marriage, and death certificates), the Municipal Code of Ordinances and other official documents. The office is also responsible for the following: dog, hunting, fishing, boat, ATV, snowmobile, and business licenses. The Town Clerk administers all aspects of elections, voter registrations and campaign finance as well as Board, Committee and Commission openings and applications and Notary services.
Dog licenses are done by calendar year. Licenses are available for the following year on October 15th. A late fee of $25 per dog is applied beginning February 1st. To avoid a late fee, either come to the town office or register your dog online between October 15 to January 31. The cost to register a neuter/spayed dog is $6, or $11 for an intact male or female. Per Maine law, all dogs six (6) months Dog Licenses Issued for 2024: and older are required to be registered. Current rabies certificate and certificate of spaying, if applicable, are required to process the Male/Female - 31 registration. Neuter/Spay - 199 The Town Clerk would like to thank our dedicated Election Total: 230 Workers for their service in the 2024 Elections. Phyllis Brannon, Stephen Brezinski, Catherine Curtis, Clint Gordon, David Harris, Barbara Jabaut, Julia Johnston, Kevin Karnes, Lois Kilby-Chesley, Gerald Spring, Nancy Swinton, John Talbot, and Anne Ware.
Elections 2024
Municipal Officers Election April 5, 2024
Town Meeting April 6, 2024
Municipal Budget Referendum RSU5 June 11, 2024
General Election November 5, 2024
November 5th General Election Voter Registration
The total votes cast for the Democrat 1105
November 5th General Election Green Independent 228
was 3003 and of those, 1445 Libertarian 20
were Absentee Votes.
No Label 58
Republican 1246
Unenrolled 1392
Total 404911 2024 Town of Durham, Maine Annual Report
2024 Transitions
Vitals Birth, Marriage, and Death Certificates are available at the Town Office during regular office hours. Certificates are $15 for the first one and $6 for each additional of the same certificate requested during the same visit. Marriage licenses are available at the Town Office during regular office hours. One of the parties must be a Durham resident or, if both reside outside of Maine, they must intend to be married in Maine. If either party has been married previously, a certified copy of the Divorce or Death Certificate is required. The cost of a marriage license is $40 and both parties must be present. The marriage license process takes approximately 30 minutes to complete, therefore appointments are required. Marriage licenses are valid for ninety days from issuance.
Deaths Residents who have passed in 2024. We send our condolences to the families and friends of these deceased individuals.
Sandra Jean Bernard Kenneth Arthur Merrill
Herbert W. Cate Christopher L. Mosher
Terrance W. Chambers, Sr. Jeanne Hanson Pulk
Dean Kenneth Clark Robert Joseph Seavey, III
Richard Combs Carolyn Virginia Smith
Births Grace M. Cullum Canda D. Tinkelenberg
There were 54 Births in Durham in Roxanna Lee Dobson Rita Paradis Weinz
2024. Congratulations and Welcome! Robert Thomas HamptonMarriages There were 36 marriages in 2024. Congratulations to our Newlyweds!
Megan Michelle Estabrook to Calum Drake Hinkle Saturday, January 6, 2024 Tyree Vuong to Ricci Tran Wednesday, January 31, 2024 Charles William Campbell to Rachel Lee Carter Thursday, February 22, 2024 Caleb Alexander Thurston to Mariia Maksymenko Saturday, April 20, 2024 Kenneth John Schnitzel to Justine Lynn Chabot Sunday, April 21, 2024 Pauline McEnery to Jason Powell Sylvester Thursday, May 23, 2024 Tyler Daniel Malloy to Kathryn Elizabeth Keith Saturday, June 1, 2024 Sara Elizabeth Doyon to James Ryan Dyer Friday, June 14, 2024 Jessica Anne Reed to Erik Steven Norman Wednesday, June 26, 2024 Catherine Marie Luedee to Coplin Douglas Fickett Thursday, June 27, 2024 Roland Clark Carter, Sr to Karen Louise Healey Sunday, June 30, 2024 Annelie Karin Storm to Jesse Bernard Bastide Thursday, July 4, 2024 Joseph Marcus Whispell to Denise Ann Dorazio Thursday, August 1, 2024 Kelly Christine Butler to Ryan Matthew Moynihan Saturday, August 3, 2024 Taylor Allison Ginn to Tyler Grant Larochelle Saturday, August 3, 2024 Marcus McKenzie Patton to Amelia Jean Witherell Saturday, August 24, 2024
12 2024 Town of Durham, Maine Annual Report
Theresa Cockburn to Joshua Geoffrey Summers Wednesday, August 28, 2024 Nicole Louise Santangelo to Kristin Lynn Sawyer Saturday, September 7, 2024 Nancy Marie Snodgrass to Adam Jordan Turner Saturday, September 7, 2024 Ronald Nilsen Rines to Joline Lorraine Arel Thursday, September 19, 2024 Tyler James Bachelder to Kelsie-Mae Christina Rioux Saturday, September 21, 2024 Alyssa Marie Brown to Tyler Scott Applebee Saturday, September 21, 2024 Elise Renae LaSalle to Liam Drue Nickerson Saturday, September 21, 2024 Den Lee Suehiro to Cyndle Anna Turcotte Saturday, September 28, 2024 Joshua Victor Libby to Courtney Mae Hallczuk Saturday, October 5, 2024 Luvilla Abuan Versoza to Joseph Arthur Simas Saturday, October 5, 2024 Courtney Jose Packard to Bradley Richard Sanderson Saturday, October 12, 2024 Eric Leonard Pelletier to Georgia Madison Candage Tuesday, October 15, 2024 Glenn Patrick Stewart, Jr. to McKalla Lynn Pulk Saturday, October 19, 2024 Matthew John Ferreira to Emily Stiles Moker Thursday, October 24, 2024 Leonard Phillip Fitzgerald to Keri Lee Mcllvaine Saturday, October 26, 2024 Shawn Anthony Pesce to Dylan James Richards Thursday, October 31, 2024 Christina Jan Fish to Christopher Matthew Arnaudin Sunday, November 24, 2024 Kristen Kelli Ross to Geoffrey Ludovic Gyse Sunday, December 1, 2024 Leah Alejandra Cleland to Michael Thomas Ratcliff Saturday, December 21, 2024 Christopher Aaron Porter to Melissa Catrina Coutts Saturday, December 29, 2024
23rd Annual Durham Giving Tree
The residents of Durham generously donated to the 2024 Giving Tree. This year the Town collaborated with the Community Cares Team at Durham Community
School to support a larger 3rd Annual Ornament Parade number of families in our Continuing our tradition with Durham Community School, on community. Thank you for November 21, 2024, the Town staff welcomed the Pre-K and supporting the Durham Kindergarten students to decorate the Durham Giving Tree with their Giving Tree! handmade ornaments. We want to thank the teachers and students and Durham Public Works and Durham Fire Department for continuing to make this a special tradition for the Town of Durham.
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Outstanding Taxes
Real Estate * Interest as of 3/06/25
Property Owner Total Due Property Owner Total Due
w/interest* w/interest*
2022
Bachelor, Cindy PR $275.39 Johnson, Greg L. $7,545.79
Dewitt, Kevin Andrew(Party in Possession) $1023.30 Johnson, Ture G. $6,301.71
Dewitt, Lisa $1,564.89 Keamy, Eric F. $3,869.92
Easler, Doreen B $3,305.16 Lacasse, Michael R., Jr. $1,446.55
Emerson, John (Heirs Of) $2,855.18 Lane, Scott $990.66
Gillespie, Kristine $847.42 Maclean, Peter $3,080.53
Holbrook, Jason L $1242.58 Merrill, Kevin $402.31
Keamy, Eric F $3631.79 Merrill, Royce E. $420.09
Lacasse, Michael R., Jr. $1324.81 Newell, Ronald E., Jr. $1,060.80
Lane, Scott $890.82 Newell, Steven D. II, PR $1,945.62
Merrill, Kevin $248.97 Perry, Angela $359.57
Newell, Ronald E., Jr. $2662.10 Peterson, Troy $3,916.22
Newell, Steven D. II, PR $1799.91 Ridlon, Tyler $2,017.20
Osgood, Derek $8.46 Schlichting, Douglas & Pamela $326.03
Scott, Iris $2.36 Smith, Stacie A. $3,765.06
St. Pierre, Tammy $1838.74 St. Pierre, Tammy $1,986.41
Stanley, Barbara $675.13 Stanley, Barbara $4,437.68
Thompson, Jeremy $310.44
2023 Thompson, Justin $414.81
Turcotte, Jason D. $103.06
Bachelder, Cindy M. $2988.16
Biette, Sydni $92.79
2024
Blake Forest LLC $149.91
Brookhouse, Susan J. $4,015.09 Allen, Kimberly Jane $5,443.06
Dewitt, Kevin Andrew(Party in Possession). $1137.72 Autumns Kaleidoscope $13,560.93
Dewitt, Lisa $1,708.08 Babcock, Jerel K. $1034.27
Easler, Doreen B. $3,526.82 Bachelder, Cindy M. $2843.47
Emerson, John (Heirs of) $3,054.14 Baker, Dale M. $6.14
Emerson-Mains, Heather L. $3,078.77 Biette, Sydni $410.28
Finch, Sonya $880.29 Blake Forest LLC $2199.57
Gillespie, Kristine $945.08 Blazer, Kevin P. $200.58
Harkins, Sandra $1,840.76 Bowie Inc. $1,424.65
Hewitt, Kristin $225.32 Bowie, Willard D., Jr. $5,688.65
Holbrook, Jason $1,360.17 Brookhouse, Susan J. $3,819.0314 2024 Town of Durham, Maine Annual Report
Outstanding Taxes (continued)
Real Estate, continued * Interest as of 3/06/25
Property Owner Total Due Property Owner Total Due
w/interest* w/interest*
2024 (continued)
Brown, Elizabeth C. $2,245.16 Johnson, Ture G. $5,991.25
Brunswick Trucking LLC $1,627.45 Jordan, Susan A. $3,091.93
Caldwell, Joseph Brancato $6,343.41 Keamy, Eric F. $3,624.15
Caron, Joseph L. $4,131.31 Lacasse, Michael R., Jr. $1,322.02
Castle Rock Development LLC $4,098.25 Laflamme, Philip A. $3,335.81
Cunningham, Dale B. $3,926.17 Lane, Gary L. $1,826.89
Dame, Ryan L. $1,260.47 Lane, Scott $888.94
Dewitt, Kevin Andrew(Party in Possession). $1,021.14 Libby, Stephen $620.93
Dewitt, Lisa $1,570.46 Lobozzo, Jonathan $1,994.42
Douglas A. Hunnewell Trust $1,445.10 Lobozzo, Jonathan $1,171.58
Easler, Doreen B. $3,298.21 Lobozzo, Jonathan $1,141.95
Emerson, John (Heirs of) $2,849.18 Lobozzo, Jonathan $1,141.95
Emerson-Mains, Heather L. $3,831.58 Lobozzo, Jonathan $1,141.95
Fairpoint Communications Inc. $13.42 Lobozzo, Jonathan $1,141.95
Finch, Sonya $784.09 Lopez, Celeste C. $990.87
Gillespie, Kristine $2,357.98 Maclean, Peter $2,874.25
Gillespie, Kristine $845.64 Mahirwe, Frederick C. $6,408.36
Harkins, Sandra $1,840.76 Merrill, Kevin $379.51
Harkins, Sandra $1,689.00 Merrill, Royce E. $3,803.08
Hayes, Kevin T. $4,077.75 Merrill, Royce E. $1,151.07
Herlings Properties, LLC $3,535.26 Miller, Camden T. $6,613.97
Hewitt, Kristin $2,851.46 Newell, Ronald E., Jr. $2,856.01
Higgins, Andrew J. $134.48 Newell, Steven D. II, PR $1,796.12
Hilliker, Lorelei L. $4,656.69 Osgood, David, Linwood & Glenn $148.04
Holbrook, Jason L. $1,239.96 Osgood, Linwood L. $3,119.08
Homer, Karon Morneault Drown $2,980.23 Perry, Angela $289.47
Hummer, Timothy R. Jr. $433.07 Peterson, Troy $3,660.62
Hunnewell, Charles G. $164.11 Poutenis, Jr., Robert $54.25
Hunnewell, Charles G. $4,537.03 Powers, Paula Marie $125.36
Huntington, Vincent W. II $1,282.20 Pratt, Evone $2,775.09
Jackson Excavating Inc. $4,348.98 Quigg, Patrick $7,518.41
Jewett, Brian $219.96 Rea, Nicholas $6,668.78
Johnson, Greg L. $7,116.10 Ridlon, Tyler $3,840.6815 2024 Town of Durham, Maine Annual Report
Outstanding Taxes (continued)
Real Estate, continued * Interest as of 3/06/25
Property Owner Total Due
w/interest*
2024 (continued)
Scammon, Robert $1,800.65
Schlichting, Douglas & Pamela $257.56
Scribner, Diane E. $3,814.47
Shute, Richard L. $2,444.60
Smith, Stacie A. $3,517.02
Snell Construction, LLC $8,545.25
SOPO Holdings, LLC 401K Trust $2,030.90
St Pierre, Tammy $1,834.86
Stanley, Barbara $4,381.57
Thompson, Jeremy $299.73
Thompson, Justin $337.49
Tindall, Jeffrey $17.94
Tindall, Jeffrey $118.37
Personal Property
Turcotte, Jason D. $1,075.85
2022
Wallace, Chelsea Stewart $2,224.64 Coastal Construction Services $1934.67
Woerter, Carolyn A. $155.00 Huntington’s Truck Repair $45.68
Woerter, Richard $293.33 Total $1980.35
Personal Property
2023
Coastal Construction Services $1587.55
Huntington’s Truck Repair $40.84
Total $1628.39
Personal Property
2024
AT & T Mobility LLC $57.06
Autumns Kaleidoscope $325.94
Coastal Construction Services $1187.54
Huntington’s Truck Repair $31.91
Synchrony Bank $82.06
Total $1684.5116 2024 Town of Durham, Maine Annual Report
Fire, Rescue & EMA Report
In 2024 our requests for services increased by 12.1% overall. We have seen increases in our call volume year over year, to reflect hundreds of increased calls. 75% of all calls last year were emergency medical related. Motor vehicle collisions increased by 25%. Our nighttime per diem coverage has decreased our turn-out and response times by 29%. The town is covered by an advanced provider a majority of the time. 24-hour EMS coverage has led to lives saved.
Emergency management activities in a small town are critical for ensuring the safety and well-being of its residents during crises. The town typically begins by developing an emergency response plan, which outlines procedures for various emergencies, including natural disasters, fires, medical emergencies, or hazardous material spills. Local authorities, such as the fire department and public health services, coordinate with each other and neighboring communities to ensure effective response and resource sharing. Regular training drills are conducted to prepare first responders and the general public for quick action when a crisis arises. Communication strategies are established, including emergency alerts, to keep residents informed. Additionally, the town creates and maintains shelters/ centers and provides essential supplies like food, water, and first aid kits to help residents during prolonged emergencies. After an event, recovery efforts focus on restoring services and infrastructure, while offering support to affected individuals. These emergency management activities are vital for reducing risks and ensuring that the community can quickly and efficiently recover from any emergency.
As always, if you want to volunteer and become a family member, just stop in or call. We never close. 207-353-2473
Rob Tripp Fire & Rescue Chief/EMA Director
17 2024 Town of Durham, Maine Annual Report
Responses for 2024 Structure
Chimney Fire 2 Equipment Fire 1 Fire / CO Alarms 13 Mutual Aid Fire 35 Structure Fire 2 Total 53
Forestry
Grass/Wildland Fire 2 Outdoor Burn Investigation 3 Total 5
Fire Response
Response Calls 247
Rescue
Response Calls 357
Vehicle
Extrications 1 Motor Vehicle Accidents 65 Vehicle Fire 3 Total 69
Other
Mutual Aid Rescue 39 Wires / Tree Down 33 Total 72
Total Combined Fire Department Responses: 604
18 2024 Town of Durham, Maine Annual Report
Town Forest Warden Report
Burning Permits Issued in 2024
Online Warden Report …………………………………1286 Written Permits ……………………………………………..0 State Site ……………………………………………………..8
This year we saw a 15.6 percent increase from last years on-line permit totals.
By definition, a “recreational campfire” means an outdoor fire that is used for cooking, personal warmth, light or ceremonial or aesthetic purposes that is not a part of debris disposal (AKA burning brush). A residential fire contained within an outdoor fireplace also falls into this category. Campfires may not exceed 3 feet in diameter on the ground at the base of the fire or 3 feet in height.
We are encouraging the public to utilize the Wardens Report website (www.wardensreport.com ) which can be accessed on your computer, smartphone or tablet. If you do have technical issues, please call the station at 353-2473 and the on-duty staff will assist you. This method has transitioned to a free service.
Any person wanting to burn logs, brush, grass, pasture, blueberry land or have a campfire is required by Maine Law to obtain a burning permit. If you have a question about whether it is permissible to burn the material you are considering, please call the station and we’d be happy to come out and inspect it.
There are time frames in which burning can and cannot be done. Permits cannot be taken before 9 a.m. The class day and local weather conditions play a part in determining whether burning permits will be issued as well. Please understand that changes in weather conditions may require us to suspend permits that have already been issued. You will be contacted by the fire department directly should this happen.
The individual who applies for the permit is legally responsible for the fire. They are required to make sure all safety precautions and time frames are adhered to. The fire must be attended at all times. The person signing the permit is legally responsible for any damages or suppression costs resulting from the Fire Department being called to contain the fire should it get out of control.
Rob Tripp Fire Chief Town Forest Warden
19 2024 Town of Durham, Maine Annual Report
Durham Ladies Auxiliary Report
The ladies auxiliary group has become an important support division within the fire department. Whether they are providing rehab at a fire scene, providing support at monthly meetings and trainings, or simply providing a listening ear after a bad call, the group has flourished this past year. They have been steadily adding members all year long, now up to ten members. They have been fund raising for their own budget, donating to local causes, attending events within the community and sponsoring family days here at the fire station.
Durham Ladies Auxiliary Members
Linda Morris, President Jen Therrien, Vice President Debbie Koval, Treasurer Kimberlei Bradstreet, Secretary Laura Gagnon Aimee Larrabee Kathy St. Michel Laura Merrill-Belanger Tanya Anderson Gwen Koval
20 2024 Town of Durham, Maine Annual Report
Road Commissioner Report In 2024 the Durham Public Works Department ditched 2.25 miles of road (that’s 4.5 miles of ditch- line) and paved 2.47 miles of roadway network.
2024 Maintenance Paving:
• Cedar Pond Road – 1.85 Miles
• Quaker Meetinghouse Road - .62 Miles __________________________________ TOTAL 2.47 Miles
Scope of Maintenance Paving:
We ditched, replaced culverts as needed, shimmed and overlayed existing pavement with 9.5 mm hot mix asphalt, and applied new shoulders. We also performed crack- sealing on various roads with hot liquified rubber to keep water from getting into the pavement. Crack-sealing is an important tool in our toolbox as a preventative maintenance measure. When water gets into the cracks it freezes and expands, which breaks the pavement and makes the cracks even larger, eventually becoming potholes.
2024-25 Winter Roads:
The Durham Public Works Department plows and treats 152 lane miles of roadway throughout the winter months. As of February 26th, 2025, we have responded to 35 winter weather related events using 1400 tons of road salt and 300 yards of winter sand.
2024 Highlights:
• Completed our second season of
maintaining all Town owned cemeteries in Durham. We have located them all and have continued a very thorough removal of leaves and brush in addition to mowing and grass trimming. We will continue to work on headstone repairs and other restoration and preservation projects in collaboration with the
Cemetery Committee.
• Reconstructed and widened sections of Brickyard Hill Road. There were sections that were only wide enough for single lane traffic that can now be travelled safely in both directions.
• Ditched and replaced culverts along a one-mile section of Auburn Pownal Road from Stackpole Road to the Auburn town line.
• Ditched and replaced culverts along various sections of Cedar Pond Road totaling approximately one mile.
21 2024 Town of Durham, Maine Annual Report
• Cleared all the White Pines at the intersection of Swamp and Newell Brook Roads (Rt9). This helped greatly with the visibility of oncoming traffic from Lisbon heading into Durham. We also removed all the Cedar trees at the intersection of Auburn Pownal and Stackpole roads as you couldn’t see looking South toward Pownal when exiting Stackpole onto Auburn Pownal Road.
• In June 2024 the department purchased a SCAGG commercial riding mower for $14,214.94 using funds from our Capital Reserve account.
• Tracy Brook Bridge - The MDOT along with Shaw Brothers Construction of Gorham, Maine completed the replacement of the Tracy Brook Bridge on Pinkham Brook Road. This was a 4.8 million dollar project that was scheduled for completion on November 15, 2024. The project was completed a few months early in the late summer of 2024.
• MDOT has submitted plans with intent to create a four-way stop at the intersection of Quaker Meeting, Rabbit and Royalsborough Roads due to the number of accidents at this location. Planning is ongoing and we are not sure if this will be implemented in 2025 at this time.
In 2025 we will be focusing on:
• Ditching and culvert replacements in connection with a very aggressive maintenance overlay paving program that will include approximately 2.5 miles of roadway.
• MDOT is scheduled to surface pave Royalsborough Road (Route 136) from the Freeport Town Line to the Auburn Town Line starting at the end of April or early May.
Once again, I would like to thank the many Durham citizens for another year of support and the many compliments and thanks we at the department have received over the past year. We will continue to make every effort to earn your support and trust as we move forward.
Respectfully submitted, Calvin Beaumier Road Commissioner
22 2024 Town of Durham, Maine Annual Report
Board of Assessors Report Donna M. Hays, CMA serves as agent of the Board of Assessors. She reviews all new construction and properties that have building permits or are being carried as unfinished on the Town’s records. This is done in the spring of the year after April 1st. The agent also processes all the property transfers and reviews the applications for exemptions. Ms. Hays works the first and third Mondays of the month and if you wish to speak with her about your valuation, please call the Town Office. The assessor can also be reached via email at assessor@durhammaine.gov but will respond during office hours only.
WAYS TO REDUCE YOUR PROPERTY TAX
The following information is provided in an effort to help reduce your property tax burden. All applications are available on the town website assessing page durhammaine.gov or at the Town Office. You can also visit the Maine Revenue Services website at www.maine.gov/revenue/propertytax.
Property Tax Exemptions Homestead Exemption Under this law, homeowners are eligible for a $25,000 reduction in valuation. In order to qualify you must have owned homestead property in Maine for at least twelve months prior to April 1st and make the property you occupy your permanent residence.
Veteran’s Exemption A homeowner may be eligible for a reduction in the valuation of their property if they:
• Have their permanent residence in Durham on April 1st
• Are a veteran who was honorably discharged
• Served during a recognized war period in the U.S. Armed Forces
• Are 62 or older or an un-remarried widow/widower of a qualifying veteran
• Are under 62 but 100% disabled due to a service-related disability
An application along with proof of service and discharge, such as a copy of their DD214 must be provided. For veterans who served during World War II or later the exemption is a $6,000 reduction in valuation.
Paraplegic Veteran A veteran who received a federal grant for a specially adapted housing unit may receive an exemption of $50,000 in valuation.
Blind Exemption A homeowner who is determined to be legally blind by a medical doctor receives a $4,000 exemption.
Note: All of the above exemptions require a completed application and may require additional information to support the claim for exemption. All applications must be submitted to the Town Office no later than April 1st.
Current Use Programs
The State of Maine offers the following “current use programs” which give the property owner a reduction in their assessed value. Applications for all these programs are available at the Town Office or at the Maine Revenue Services website and must be filed on or before April 1st. In order to be eligible each program has certain criteria that must be met and any change in use of the land warrants withdrawal from the program and a penalty assessed.
23 2024 Town of Durham, Maine Annual Report
Tree Growth
This program provides for the landowner with at least 10 acres of forested land who wishes to maintain land for the planting, culture and continuous harvesting of trees. A Forest Management and Harvest Plan must be prepared and submitted with the application. Applications must include a map of the parcel indicating the forest type breakdown as well as all other areas not classified as tree growth. The 100% valuation per acre for each forest type by county is determined by the State Tax Assessor each year. If the classified parcel no longer meets the criteria of eligibility or the landowner withdraws from the program a penalty of an amount between 20 and 30% of the difference between the tree growth value and the fair market value will be assessed depending on the amount of time in the program.
Farm Land
In the farmland program the land must be used for farming, agriculture, horticulture and can include woodland and wasteland. At least 5 contiguous acres of land are required and the tract must contribute at least $2,000 gross income from farming activities per year in one of the two or three of the five calendar years preceding the date of application. If the classified parcel no longer meets the criteria of eligibility or the landowner withdraws from the program a penalty of an amount between 20 and 30% of the difference between the farmland value and the fair market value will be assessed depending on the amount of time in the program, or a penalty equal to an amount of taxes that would have been paid in the last five years had it not been in the program, less the taxes that were originally assessed, plus any interest on that balance will be assessed, whichever is greater.
Open Space
Under this program no minimum acreage is required and the tract of land must be preserved or restricted in use to provide a public benefit such as public recreation, scenic resources, game management or preserving wildlife habitat. Classified land is valued by reducing the fair market value in accordance with a cumulative percentage reduction for which the land is eligible according to certain categories.
• Ordinary Open Space – 20% reduction
• Permanently Protected – 30% reduction
• Forever Wild – 20% reduction
• Public Access – 25% reduction
If the property met all of the above requirements, the owner would see a cumulative reduction of up to 95% on the classified land. If the classified parcel no longer meets the criteria of eligibility or the landowner withdraws from the program a penalty of an amount between 20 and 30% of the difference between the open space value and fair market value will be assessed depending on the amount of time in the program.
Property Tax Fairness Credit
The State of Maine also offers a Property Tax Fairness Credit. Eligible Maine taxpayers may receive a portion of the property tax or rent paid during the tax year on the Maine individual income tax return whether they owe Maine income tax or not. To claim credit, file Form 1040ME and Schedule PTFC for the tax year during which the property tax or rent was paid. For more information call 207-626-8475 or visit the State of Maine website at www.maine.gov/revenue/taxrelief/ptfcsummary.htm.
Respectfully Submitted, Donna Hays Town Assessor
24 2024 Town of Durham, Maine Annual Report
Code Enforcement Report
As your Code Officer for Durham, I continue to focus on education, guidance, and inspections based on statewide building codes and our town's ordinances. It’s been another productive year ensuring safety and compliance in Durham. Below is a summary of activities and updates for 2024. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2024 Permits Issued
• Total Building Permits Issued: 65
New Single-Family Homes: 11
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): 6
• Electrical Permits: 147
• Demolitions: 4
• Internal Plumbing Permits: 52
• External Plumbing (Septic Systems): 35
• Annual total of Permit Fees Collected: $61,881.99
• Average Permit Fee (All): Approximately $206.27
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Ordinances and Codification
Ordinances provide the structure for our town’s rules. As in 2023, codification remains a key priority and is ongoing but it’s my hope that we will receive the list of items that need attention by the time you get this report and will begin the process to bring it to you at the annual meeting in 2026.
This process will:
1. Organize existing laws into a systematic and understandable format that is easily accessible by residents.
2. Highlight contradictory or unclear language.
3. Align local rules with state laws for clarity.
A codified system ensures that both residents and officials can easily interpret and follow the rules, helping avoid missteps.
25 2024 Town of Durham, Maine Annual Report
911 Addressing Requirements
For your safety, please ensure that your house or business has visible, reflective 4” numbers contrasting with their background, visible from both directions of the road. Contact me if you need assistance with these requirements.
Maine Energy & Electric Code
Durham follows the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code (MUBEC). The state’s updated building code (IRC 2023) will be in effect as of April 7, 2025. All building inspections in Durham adhere to these standards. The Energy Code (2021) and Electrical Code (NEC 2023) are in effect for all Maine towns.
De-Cluttering and Document Management
We continue efforts to digitize large documents, saving space in the town office and ensuring records are preserved efficiently. All future submissions, including building permits and plans, should be provided electronically whenever possible.
Respectfully Submitted, Alan Plummer Code Enforcement Officer
26 2024 Town of Durham, Maine Annual Report
Planning Board Report
The Durham Planning Board is tasked with implementing portions of the Durham Land Use Ordinance, including review and approval of subdivision, conditional use, and site plan applications. The Board also recommends changes to the Land Use Ordinance as appropriate and has engaged in workshops and public hearings to address updates to align with state requirements and local needs. Supported by the Town Planner and Planning Board Secretary, the Board meets on the first Wednesday of each month, with additional meetings scheduled as needed.
Highlights of 2024 Activities
1. Application Reviews and Approvals:
• Central Maine Power (CMP) Corridor Upgrades: Reviewed and approved upgrades to CMP’s westerly powerline corridor, including conditional use and site plan approvals. Conditions included road coordination and a $1 million road damage bond.
• Bowie Hill Subdivision (Phase 2): Conducted multiple reviews, granted preliminary approval for extending Mattie Lane with new lots, and addressed incomplete application submissions to ensure compliance with subdivision standards.
• Ruby Farmview Subdivision: Required compliance with prior subdivision approvals before considering new expansion proposals.
• Daycare Expansion: Approved the expansion of The Kids Next Door daycare on Hallowell Road, moving from 12 to 20 children with conditions addressing parking, lighting, and landscaping.
• Maine Custom Woodlands: Approved a 6,000 sq. ft. building for a sawmill, with provisions for onsite water supply meeting NFPA standards.
• Auto Repair Business: Approved a conditional use application for a new facility on Royalsborough Road, requiring site plan review for drainage and hazardous materials management.
2. Land Use Ordinance Amendments:
• Housing Density: Drafted and recommended updates to align with state laws for increased housing diversity while maintaining rural character.
• Solar Energy Systems: Created standards distinguishing small, medium, and large-scale installations with provisions for buffering, public safety, and decommissioning requirements.
27 2024 Town of Durham, Maine Annual Report
• Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS): Recommended a moratorium on large-scale BESS projects to allow for risk and benefit analysis. Work began on performance standards to address safety and environmental impacts.
• Resource Protection District: In collaboration with the Conservation Commission, formed a working group to propose revisions to RP boundaries, adding development buffers for existing buildings, and ensuring compliance with environmental protection regulations.
3. Community Engagement and Workshops:
• Conducted public hearings and information sessions to solicit input on proposed ordinance amendments and land use policies, ensuring transparency and public participation.
• Supported the Comprehensive Plan’s recommendations to balance growth with the preservation of Durham’s rural character.
4. Town Planner:
• The Town Planner provided staff support to the Planning Board in carrying out the multiple activities listed above as well as supporting the Select Board and Town Manager on land-use issues and the Code Officer on administration of land use codes.
• The Planner managed the codification project for Durham’s ordinances, which includes aligning provisions with state laws and making regulations more accessible to the public.
• The Planner also managed the Community Facilities Visioning Process to develop long-term goals for Town properties along Hallowell Road.
Challenges and Goals The Planning Board’s proactive approach has made significant progress in addressing emerging trends like renewable energy development and state housing mandates. However, limited resources for ordinance updates and enforcement present ongoing challenges. Enhanced coordination among Town officials and public engagement remain priorities for achieving balanced growth and protecting Durham’s unique character.
Acknowledgment The Planning Board extends its gratitude to the community for its participation and to Town staff for their continued support in facilitating effective planning and development processes.
Submitted by the Durham Planning Board, 2024
28 2024 Town of Durham, Maine Annual Report
Conservation Commission Report
Durham Conservation Commission focuses on conservation-related issues in collaboration with Durham employees, volunteers and residents, other communities, and public and private advocacy groups. We seek to preserve the rural character of Durham consistent with the Town Comprehensive Plan and to promote the conservation and enjoyment of the natural environment.
Our goals are:
• To protect current and potential water resources;
• To conserve natural resources in the Town of Durham;
• To create and preserve open space for recreational use and wildlife habitat;
• To advise the Select Board and Planning Board on sustaining our Town’s natural resources, including land, water, air, wildlife habitat, and scenic views; and
• To conduct research, in conjunction with the Planning Board, into local land areas that are being considered for development.
In 2024, we worked collaboratively with the Town Planner and Planning Board to develop an approach for providing relief to landowners with existing structures now in Resource Protection (RP) after the 2024 Town Meeting. This process included developing a suitable buffer radius around existing structures within RP areas within which
landowners may expand their structures.
This revision to the Town’s land use ordinance will be on the Town warrant in April 2025. We worked with the Greater Portland Council of
Governments to reapply for a Maine Won’t Wait Community Resilience Partnership Climate Action Grant. During summer and fall, the Conservation Commission set up a bat acoustic study on private property on Runaround Pond to determine which species of bats are present in the area.
Respectfully submitted, Durham Conservation Commission
29 2024 Town of Durham, Maine Annual Report
RSU5 Superintendent Report
Dear Citizens,
We want to thank all the residents for the passage of our current budget. The adopted budget for 2024-2025 is $41,612,460. In addition to contractual salaries and benefits, the majority of the expenditure increases included the following: funding for an additional Special Education teacher, an elementary classroom teacher, and a .5 high school Science teacher due to enrollment, a .5 Guidance Counselor to support wellness, an Assistant Principal to support increased enrollment and specialized programming, needed technology replacement, and the continued funding of the district’s Capital Improvement Plan.
We are grateful for the individuals willing to volunteer and serve on the RSU5 Board of Directors. Current Board members from Durham are Candace deCsipkes, Danielle George, and School Board Chair Michelle Ritcheson; members from Freeport are Colin Cheney, Cheyenne Farrell, Carolyn Jensen, Kara Kaikini, Maura Pillsbury, and Kelly Sink; and members from Pownal are Malik Farlow and Vice- chair Elisabeth Munsen. Two student representatives from Freeport High School are selected each fall.
All Board goals aim to ensure every student has an engaging, student-centered education, and graduates ready to enter postsecondary education or the workforce. In June, 171 students graduated from Freeport High School, ready to venture into their post-graduation lives. We are very appreciative of all the financial contributions for scholarships to support our students in post-secondary education.
We have an extremely dedicated, qualified staff serving our students. We educated 2084 students during the 2023-2024 school year, which was an increase of 18 students from the October 1st enrollment from 2022. The projected enrollment for 2024-2025 is 2094. If this remains stable, this will be an increase of 10 from last year’s October 1st certified enrollment.
Through the collective efforts of our staff, parents, students and community members, we strive to provide a quality education for all of our students. As we strive “to inspire and support every learner by challenging minds, building character, sparking creativity, and nurturing passions,” we appreciate your support and involvement in educating our students in RSU5!
Sincerely,
Jean M. Skorapa Superintendent of Schools
30 2024 Town of Durham, Maine Annual Report
Historical Society Report The Durham Historical Society’s 2024 year was monumental! In February, with the help of the Acacia Lodge in Durham, we held our first event of the year; Treasure Hunters with Walt Bannon. Walt brought in an amazing display of treasures and shared his stories of discovery as he taught us the tricks of the trade of treasure hunting. We had an amazing turnout of people of all ages, proving that seeking treasure is something you never grow out of !
On April 6th, at the Town Meeting, the residents of Durham voted to turn ownership of the Union Church from the Town of Durham to the Historical Society. With the help from the Union Church Funds the town has allocated for the building, we as a team of volunteers, will restore this beautiful building. This will not be easy and will take hundreds of thousands of dollars, but we are dedicated to ensuring this building remains standing for another 200 years.
The West Durham Methodist Church at Methodist Corner celebrated its 220th birthday in 2024. The building, one of five in Durham on the National Registry of Historic Sites, is owned and maintained by the Durham Historical Society with the help of volunteers working as the Friends of the West Durham Methodist Church. With many of the planned exterior improvements done including most recently landscaping on the north side to divert water from running under the building, we are still collecting for the cost of painting the Church. If you would like to donate towards this project, please reach out to Lois Kilby-Chesley at lkilbychesley@gmail.com. We have high hopes that within the next few years, the Church will be available to the community for gatherings
In July, the Historical Society participated in the Moxie Festival for the first time. Our float featured a 7th-scale model of the Union Church, designed and built by Tyler Hutchison and Greg and Tia Wilson. The scale model is now a feature in the historical museum. Waving from the float was Emily Alexander, Sandra Hilton, Natasha Skelton, Tia Wilson, Tyler Hutchison, Eliza Howe, Harper Hall, Brea, Addison & Joe McKechnie all dressed in clothing from the 1800’s! Greg Wilson and Noel Skelton pulled our float through town. We had a great time waving and tossing buckets of candy to the onlookers! Keep your eyes open for us in the parade next year!
In August we held our first fundraiser of the year by hosting a Glow Dance at the Durham AMVETs. We featured the local Lisbon Band Kaiju and had a rocking good time! We hope to do it again in 2025!
In September, the Historical Society held its first open house in over 5 years! We were fortunate enough to have a beautiful cider press to use during the event, which was lent for use by Chris and Carson Craig. Our guests were able to participate in the pressing of historic apples that were picked from ancient trees right here in Durham. We had guests pouring in all afternoon, enjoying baked goods and exploring our historic museum. We were able to hold an additional open house in October, which featured face painting by Bruce Hutchison, pumpkin decorating, and more pressing of apple for cider. We are so excited to open our doors to the public again next spring.
In October, Natasha Skelton and Lois Kilby-Chesley were the Boo Crew representing the Historical Society as we participated in the AmVet’s Trunk-or-Treat! They dressed up and passed out handmade goody bags.
31 2024 Town of Durham, Maine Annual Report
In November, Deb Larrabee donated a beautiful plaque to be displayed at the Union Church, which states the building is on the National
Register of Historic Places.
Our final fundraiser of the year ended with a bang! We sold Thanksgiving pies for the second year in a row. We sold a total of 53 pies, which is 10
more pies than last year!
Emily, Lois, Sandra, Tia & Greg all got together and baked the pies from scratch. It ended up being such a wonderful event, we can’t wait
to do it again next year!
In December, Tia Wilson gave a presentation to the 3rd- grade class at Durham Community School on the History of Durham. She also took them on a field trip to historical locations within the
town, where they learned about Durham’s past. The field trip ended with a stop at the historical museum, where the children participated in a scavenger hunt, and one lucky winner from each class got to ring the Revere bell. We hope this will become a new tradition for DHS and DCS.
As always, we welcome new members to join the Durham Historical Society. If you are interested in becoming a member of the society, the annual membership dues are $20. The society meets every 3rd Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. during the warmer months. Please remember to follow the Durham Historical Society on Facebook at facebook.com/durhammainehistoricalsociety to keep up with society activities, as well as look through historic photos and articles about the town. You can also visit our website at durhamhistoricalsociety.com.
Durham Historical Society Officers & Senior Members:
Tia Wilson, Chair Sandra Hilton, Co-Chair Lois Kilby-Chesley, Secretary Tyler Hutchison, Treasurer Emily Alexander, Archivist Natasha Skelton Greg Wilson Candy DeCsipkes Paul Erdmann-Purdy
32 2024 Town of Durham, Maine Annual Report
Historic District Commission Report Durham Historic District Commission Mission Statement
The mission of the Durham Historic Commission is to identify, preserve and inform citizens of the Town of Durham about its unique historical heritage. In fulfilling this mission, the Commission encourages local ordinances, by-laws or public action that preserves historic properties, both private and public. The Commission encourages appropriate maintenance and restoration of the town’s historical structures and open spaces.
The Durham Historic District Commission (DHDC) met 10 times during 2024. Recent Agendas for meetings of the DHDC can be found at: https://durhammaine.gov/agendas All recent Meeting Minutes of the Durham Historic District Commission can be found at: https://durhammaine.gov/documents Archive Meeting Minutes of the Durham Historic District Commission can be found at: https://durhammaine.gov/documents
The DHDC has direction for its Policies and Strategies in the Durham Comprehensive Plan, Section 2, pages 2.1-2.4. (2018) https://durhammaine.gov/pages/comprehensive-plan-adopted-2018
Article 12 of the Durham Land Use Ordinance, pages 137-150 on the Town website, specifically defines the Purpose of the Commission (2005, most recent amendment 2024). https://durhammaine.gov/uploads/attested_land_use_ordinance_2024.pdf
2024 Commission Goals (approved Feb 8, 2024) Eureka Grange Hall
1. To identify, preserve, inform and communicate to Durham citizens, the importance of protecting its past resources and historical heritage.
2. To communicate more frequently with the community on the work and role of the Durham Historic District Commission.
3. To work with organizations and members of the community that have an interest in historic resources.
4. To continue to work for the appropriate future use and restoration of the Union Church.
5. To strive to develop a working relationship with Town Officials in which we are all supporting the historical resources in Durham.
#1) The DHDC provided an informational pamphlet at Town Meeting and Election Polls in 2024. Pamphlets are available at the Town Office. All DHDC meetings are open to all residents. #2) A Facebook page was available. Regular announcements were made as we worked on goals. #3) The DHDC partnered with the Maine Historic Preservation Commission, the Durham Historical Society and the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions. #4) The restoration and protection of the Union Church was resolved when residents voted at Town Meeting in April 2024 to turn ownership over to the Durham Historical Society. #5) Continuing.
33 2024 Town of Durham, Maine Annual Report
Priorities given by the Select Board to the DHDC (May 20, 2024)
• Name Change
• Land Use Ordinance Provisions Overhaul
• Develop Budget for Historic Buildings Survey First bullet: The Select Board went ahead and renamed the DHDC the Historic Commission, a decision to be voted on by residents at Town Meeting 2025. Second bullet: Prior Select Board members and Town Planner had assigned a re-write of Articles 5.14 and 12 of the Durham Land Use Ordinances to the DHDC. The DHDC spent three years working on edits to the Land Use Ordinance. Those were submitted to the Select Board on June 24, 2024. The Annie Louise Cary Select Board rejected the work of the DHDC and the Town Attorney was hired to re-write the Land Use Ordinances in December 2024. That document will be voted on by residents at Town Meeting 2025. Third bullet: The Select Board rejected the Historic Buildings Survey Budget as presented.
Meetings
Each month DHDC works on several Agenda items. Top priority topics from 2024 are listed here:
• Union Church ownership transfer (Town Meeting 2024 Warrant Articles 17, 27 and 28).
• Informational public relations opportunities.
• Attempts to build a bridge of understanding so the Select Board would understand the DHDC’s Mission, Policies, Strategies and Ordinances as defined in Town documents.
• Attempts to have clarification of the Select Board Priorities given to the DHDC.
• Review the Town Attorney’s changes to Land Use Ordinances 5.14 and 12. Thank you for your past support and protection of our Town’s historical sites. Residents have shown they understood the importance of safeguarding our heritage when others threatened or ignored that significance. The Commission has worked through difficult times in an effort to align our work with the documents voted on by the residents, but as Bob Dylan sings, “the times they are a-changin”. New projects are calling and I, for one, will be focusing on protecting and renovating what we still have that is privately owned (the Union Church and West Durham Methodist Church, as examples). If you have questions about the role of the DHDC or the proposed Durham Land Use Ordinance changes impacting historical sites throughout our community, in preparation of Town Meeting 2025, please reach out to the Select Board. Most importantly, a thank you shout- out to the Durham Historic District Commissioners. It takes residents willing to volunteer to protect our past and prepare for Durham’s future.
Respectfully submitted,
Lois Kilby-Chesley, Chair (2025) David McLellan, Vice Chair (2026) Emily Alexander, Secretary (2027) Candy deCsipkes, (2027) Paula Erdmann Purdy (2025) Sandra Hilton (2026)
34 2024 Town of Durham, Maine Annual Report
Cemetery Committee Report
The Cemetery Committee works for and under the authority of the Select Board. Our members are unpaid volunteers whose mission is the care and maintenance of the sixteen (16) cemeteries for which the town has responsibility. We also offer cemetery plots in Strout Cemetery, located on Hallowell Road, for those wishing to be buried in town. The Committee has no affiliation with the private cemetery associations located in Durham.
At our May meeting, we elected officers and discussed that the town’s public works will continue to maintain the town cemeteries this year. Thank you for the wonderful job of keeping the cemeteries looking beautiful!
This year the committee members performed the following:
• Inspected all the cemeteries under our jurisdiction.
• Cemetery Clean-ups: this year, cemetery clean-ups were not needed due to the great job Public Works has been doing at maintaining our cemeteries.
No cemetery plot was sold in 2024.
This year, Thomas Stevens Memorials restored Fairfield Cemetery on Swamp Road. Fairfield Cemetery was established in 1812 and consists of 31 memorials. Please be sure to stop and see the beautiful restoration work that Thomas Stevens and his crew completed.
We would also like to thank those individuals and groups who help maintain our cemeteries. Special thanks to the Acacia Masonic Lodge for their work at Cedar Grove Cemetery. We would also like to thank Hunter Howe, Caroline Wheeler, and Maureen Donovick who assisted the Cemetery Committee with placing the Veteran’s Memorial Day flags this year.
In 2025, we are aiming to have the crumbling wall repaired at Littlefield Cemetery with the help of Public Works, as well as restoring Waterhouse Cemetery on Auburn Pownal Road.
Respectfully submitted by,
Tia Wilson, Chair Linda Bowie, Vice Chair Lindsey Lopes, Secretary Phil Baker Joe Donovick Natasha Skelton Greg Wilson
35 2024 Town of Durham, Maine Annual Report
Eureka Community Center Report
We are pleased to report that rents have remained the same as last year even with an increase in rent fees. There were 36 rentals in 2024. The daily use of the center has increased for meetings and gatherings. The field was again used by Trek Across Maine and the Dempsey Challenge as a rest stop.
Some of the building needs and upgrades have been addressed:
• New lighting has been installed inside and at both exit doors.
• New exterior doors have been installed.
There are still other repairs or upgrades that need to be addressed:
• Backup heating
• Flooring
• Parking lot lighting The committee would like to thank the town office staff and the public works crew for all they do for the center. Big thanks to all our volunteers for showing up for annual projects. A special appreciation to the girl scouts who always leave the center in perfect order.
Respectfully submitted, Eureka Community Center Committee
Pearl Scribner, Chair Kathleen Lowe, Vice Chair Anita Sellars Jeanne Costigan Cathy Sentner
36 2024 Town of Durham, Maine Annual Report
Solid Waste Report
The Town of Durham contracts with Casella for curbside solid waste and recycling collection. Each bag of regular
household waste picked up at curbside must be tagged. There is a weight limit of 25 pounds per bag. Residents may put out 32 gallon trash cans which do not
exceed the 25 pounds and tag the can.
Residents are allotted 26 tags free of charge per year which are available the first Monday after Town Meeting. New
property owners are entitled to a pro-rated number of tags, One (1) for every two weeks remaining until the next Town Meeting. Tags for rental units are limited to 26 regardless of tenant changes. Additional tags can be purchased at the Town Office for $3 each.
Town of Durham 2024 - Municipal Solid Waste & Recycling Report (by tons)
Prepared For: Jessica Landberg, Town Clerk
Contacts: Andy Jones, Pine Tree Waste, Inc. Phone: (207) 791-2320 / (207) 303-2369
Talya Bent, Municipal Account Manager Phone: (603) 327-9098
Date: 1/22/25
Zero-Sort Oversized Bulky
Municipal Solid Recycling Waste/
Waste (Curbside (Curbside Construction Total Tons
Month Services) Services) Recycled Metal Debris Collected
January 60.20 24.63 0.00 0.00 84.83
February 66.97 24.10 0.00 0.00 91.07
March 52.98 18.96 0.00 0.00 71.94
April 59.31 21.78 0.00 0.00 81.09
May 74.18 27.17 12.04 33.76 147.15
June 62.85 22.46 0.00 0.00 85.31
July 60.61 20.97 0.00 0.00 81.58
August 77.70 26.98 0.00 0.00 104.68
September 63.41 20.55 0.00 0.00 83.96
October 75.31 26.28 0.00 0.00 101.59
November 59.55 20.07 0.00 0.00 79.62
December 64.56 23.30 0.00 0.00 87.86
Total Tons 777.63 277.25 12.04 33.76 1100.68
email To: townclerk@durhammaine.gov
Data Source : TT-00324 Transfer Station Account (Route J2)37 2024 Town of Durham, Maine Annual Report
Giving Resources New Life® Led by our recycling facilities, annually we recover over 580,000 tons of materials such as cardboard, paper, plastic, glass and metal
1 Recycling Collection It starts with you tossing items like newspapers, boxes, bottles, and cans into your recycling bin. We pick these materials up from your home and take them to be processed at a materials recycling facility (MRF).
Recycling Facility At the recycling facility we sort and bale commodities like aluminum, cardboard, paper and more. These serve as the source material for recycled products and packaging.
3 Manufacturing Baled commodities are received by manufacturers as raw materials for making new goods.
New Products Completing the loop, the recyclables you placed into your bin are transformed into new products like boxes, bottles, cans, packaging and even fleece jackets!
Cardboard Paper Plastic Glass Metal becomes becomes becomes becomes becomes Present Boxes Egg Cartons Fleece Jackets Roadways New Cans
Learn more about the recycling process at casella.com/RecycleBetter becomes RECYCLING • SOLUTIONS • ORGANICS • COLLECTION • ENERGY • LANDFILLS casella.com New Cans
38 2024 Town of Durham, Maine Annual Report
Animal Control Report
Calls For Service 2024
Bowdoin Durham Lisbon Sabattus
Animal Related Issues 14 6 53 17
Missing Animals 13 8 38 0
Cat Complaints 23 8 58 37
Cruelty 2 2 10 1
Dog Bites 5 4 11 12
Barking Dog 2 1 11 5
Dangerous Dog 0 0 1 2
Loose Dog 39 36 127 43
Injured Animal 0 0 0 0
Rabid/Suspected 0 1 0 1
Wildlife 5 5 30 4
Assist Other Agency 0 2 38 41
Poultry/Trespass 0 0 9 0
Swine 0 0 2 0
Institutionalized 0 0 0 0
Animal In Car 0 0 0 0
Total Calls 103 74 388 163Total Combined 728
Humane Law Enforcement Call For Service History Year Bowdoin Durham Lisbon Sabattus
2018 74 25 542 169 2019 83 76 487 100 2020 79 67 423 131 2021 92 69 526 170 2022 70 59 361 146 2023 73 60 389 138 2024 103 74 388 163
39
January 2025 to June 2026 Proposed Budget
40
41
Town of Durham FY2026 Budget FY2023 FY2024 FY2024 FY2026 FY24 - FY26 SUMMARY Actual Budget Actual Budget % Norm Var
Funding Requirements General Government Public Safety Public Works Community Services Town-wide
Less: Funding Sources Excise Taxes Total Funding Requirements $
ed 608,747 535,740 1,680,457 - 7,513,115 10,338,059
1,076,440 $ 667,756 622,495 1,865,463 16,700 8,247,368 11,419,782
1,100,000 $ 669,173 595,041 1,830,490 16,100 8,239,085 11,349,889
1,144,570 $ 1,143,060 1,055,920 2,880,550 1,000 12,239,759 17,320,289
1,721,000 14.1% 13.1% 2.9% -96.0% -1.1% 1.1%
4.3% Permits and Fees Intergovernmental Charges for Services Other Revenues Other Financing Sources Total Funding Sources os
Equals: Deficit (Surplus) Before Changes in Fund Balance and Taxes
76,066 1,146,438 167,942 36,385 47,754 2,551,025
7,787,034 75,400 1,013,074 172,000 65,000 - 2,425,474
8,994,308 87,350 1,029,404 196,579 152,143 - 2,610,046
8,739,843 129,100 1,270,300 279,370 252,000 - 3,651,770
13,668,519 14.1% -16.4% 8.3% 158.5%
0.4%
1.3%
Additions to (Use of) Fund Balance
Equals: Property Tax Levy
Mil Rate (per $1,000) op Taxable Valuation ($ thousands) $
$ $ 259,011
8,046,045
376,001 21.350 $
$ $ (668,000)
8,326,308
382,819 21.750 $
$ $ (419,292)
8,320,551
382,819 21.750 $
$ $ (740,000)
12,928,519
382,819 33.772 -26.1%
3.5%
-33.3% 3.5%
Pr Page 1
As of 2/20/2025
42
Town of Durham FY2026 Budget FY2023 FY2024 FY2024 FY2026 FY24 - FY26 Categorized Expenditures Actual Budget Actual Budget % Norm Var
Wages and Benefits Administration Planning and Code Enforcement Fire Department Public Works Municipal Buildings $ 314,161 38,711 361,800 541,092 4,638 $ 304,856 117,500 412,445 549,878 6,785 $
d 322,965 110,520 380,673 532,798 6,150 $ 526,700 184,310 721,220 846,850 14,000 15.2% 4.6% 16.6% 2.7% 37.6% Total Wages and Benefits
Fixed Costs Education Debt service County tax Contracts and set fees Utilities and fuel Total Fixed Costs
Variable and Discretionary Costs os e 1,260,402
5,716,355 958,390 677,388 644,237 110,376 8,106,746 1,391,464
6,088,292 780,349 742,140 641,450 118,350 8,370,581 1,353,106
6,088,292 782,712 742,140 703,908 96,764 8,413,816 2,293,080
10,022,466 805,318 816,323 1,186,450 196,250 13,026,807 9.9%
9.7% -31.2% -26.7% 23.3% 10.5% 3.8%
Roads maintenance 488,845 650,500 612,997 844,700 -13.4% Transfers to reserves 152,596 616,836 616,836 595,652 -35.6%
op Supplies and equipment Abatements and bad debt Community services All other expenditures Total Variable and Discretionary Costs
Total Expenditures $
46,414 8,386 - 274,670 970,911
10,338,059 $ 67,300 19,751 16,700 286,650 1,657,737
11,419,782 $ 74,158 9,105 16,100 253,771 1,582,967
11,349,889 $ 103,900 - 1,000 455,150 2,000,402
17,320,289 2.9% -100.0% -96.0% 5.9% -19.6%
1.1%
Pr Page 2
As of 2/20/2025
43
Town of Durham FY2026 Budget FY2023 FY2024 FY2024 FY2026 Category % of Total Expenditures Actual Budget Actual Budget
Wages and Benefits Administration Planning and Code Enforcement Fire Department Public Works Municipal Buildings Total Wages and Benefits
Fixed Costs Education Debt service 3.0% 0.4% 3.5% 5.2% 0.0% 12.2%
55.3% 9.3% ed 2.7% 1.0% 3.6% 4.8% 0.1% 12.2%
53.3% 6.8% 2.8% 1.0% 3.4% 4.7% 0.1% 11.9%
53.6% 6.9% 3.0% 1.1% 4.2% 4.9% 0.1% 13.2%
57.9% 4.6% County tax Contracts and set fees Utilities and fuel Total Fixed Costs
Variable and Discretionary Costs Roads maintenance Transfers to reserves os 6.6% 6.2% 1.1% 78.4%
4.7% 1.5% 6.5% 5.6% 1.0% 73.3%
5.7% 5.4% 6.5% 6.2% 0.9% 74.1%
5.4% 5.4% 4.7% 6.9% 1.1% 75.2%
4.9% 3.4%
op Supplies and equipment Abatements and bad debt Community services All other expenditures Total Variable and Discretionary Costs
Total Expenditures 0.4% 0.1% 0.0% 2.7% 9.4%
100.0% 0.6% 0.2% 0.1% 2.5% 14.5%
100.0% 0.7% 0.1% 0.1% 2.2% 13.9%
100.0% 0.6% 0.0% 0.0% 2.6% 11.5%
100.0%
Pr Page 3
As of 2/20/2025
44
Town of Durham FY2026 Budget
FY2023 Actual
Revenue
Expenditures Wages and Benefits Property taxes
Education sed Intergovernmental
Debt Service
County Tax Excise taxes All Other
Other Fixed Costs
Var and Discr Costs
- 2,500,000 5,000,000 7,500,000 10,000,000 12,500,000
Revenue po Property taxes FY2024 Actual
Intergovernmental All Other
Pr Expenditures
o -
Wages and Benefits2,500,000 Education
5,000,000 Debt Service
County Tax
7,500,000 Excise taxes
Other Fixed Costs
Var and Discr Costs
10,000,000 12,500,000
As of 2/20/2025
Page 4
45
Town of Durham FY2026 Budget
FY2024 Budget
Revenue
Expenditures Wages and Benefits Property taxes
Education ed Intergovernmental
Debt Service Excise taxes All Other
Other Fixed Costs
- 2,500,000
os 5,000,000FY2026 Budget County Tax
7,500,000 Var and Discr Costs
10,000,000 12,500,000
Revenue
Expenditures op Wages and Benefits Property taxes
Education Intergovernmental
Debt Service Excise taxes All Other
Other Fixed Costs
Pr - 3,750,000 7,500,000
Page 5
County Tax
11,250,000 Var and Discr Costs
15,000,000 18,750,000
As of 2/20/2025
46
Town of Durham FY2026 Budget FY2023 FY2024 FY2024 FY2026 FY24 - FY26 FUNDING SOURCES Actual Budget Actual Budget % Norm Var
Excise Taxes 11-6100 11-6105
12-6200 12-6205 12-6210 12-6215 Motor Vehicle Excise Other Excise
Permits and Fees Total Excise Taxes
Town Clerk Fees Lien Fees Planning Board Fees Code Enforcement Fees $
25,945
529
4,735 41,350 ed 1,070,148 6,292 1,076,440 $ 1,095,000 5,000 1,100,000
26,000 - 3,000 45,000 $ 1,140,564 4,006 1,144,570
30,356 1,380 10,671 43,395 $ 1,715,000 6,000 1,721,000
45,000 2,000 15,500 65,000 4.4% -20.0% 4.3%
15.4%
244.4% -3.7% 12-6220 12-6299
Intergovernmental 13-6300 13-6305 13-6310 13-6315 Dog Licenses Miscellaneous Permits and Fees Total Permits and Fees
State Revenue Sharing Homestead Exemption Business Equipment Tax Exemption Veterans Exemption os 1,457 2,050 76,066
740,214 302,687
14
3,142 1,400 - 75,400
638,052 269,001 3,021 3,000 1,273
275
87,350
680,649 262,933 4,460 2,743 1,600 - 129,100
925,000 260,000 1,500 2,800 -23.8%
14.1%
-3.4% -35.6% -66.9% -37.8% 13-6320 13-6325 13-6330 13-6345 13-6399 op Tree Growth Local Road Assistance Program Snowmobile Program General Assistance Miscellaneous Intergovernmental Total Intergovernmental 37,147 63,108 - -
126
1,146,438 35,000 65,000 - - - 1,013,074 11,301 63,916 2,032 - 1,370 1,029,404 12,000 65,000 4,000 - - 1,270,300 -77.1% -33.3%
-16.4%
Pr Page 6
As of 2/20/2025
47
Town of Durham FY2026 Budget FY2023 FY2024 FY2024 FY2026 FY24 - FY26 FUNDING SOURCES Actual Budget Actual Budget % Norm Var Charges for Services
os
14-6425 Eureka Rental Fees $ 2,205 $ 2,000 $ 2,350 $ 3,250 8.3%
14-6430 Cemetery Lots - - 60 -
14-6450 Junkyard Fees - - 120 120
14-6451 User Fees and Trash Tags 30,194 30,000 38,661 50,000 11.1%
14-6460 Cable Franchise Fees 42,596 45,000 37,462 51,000 -24.4%
14-6470 Ambulance Fees 92,612 95,000 117,780 175,000 22.8%
ed
14-6499 Misc Charges for Services 335 - 146 -
Total Charges for Services 167,942 172,000 196,579 279,370 8.3%
Other Revenues
19-6900 Interest on Property Taxes 16,124 20,000 34,716 52,000 73.3%
19-6910 Interest Income 28,929 20,000 112,776 200,000 566.7%
19-6950 Private Donations 2,000 - - -
19-6999 Miscellaneous Revenue (10,668) 25,000 4,651 - -100.0%
Total Other Revenues 36,385 65,000 152,143 252,000 158.5%
Other Financing Sources
99-8000 Transfers In 47,754 - - -op Total Other Financing Sources
TOTAL FUNDING SOURCES $
47,754
2,551,025 $
-
2,425,474 $
-
2,610,046 $
-
3,651,770 0.4%Pr Page 7
As of 2/20/2025
48
Town of Durham FY2026 Budget FY2023 FY2024 FY2024 FY2026 FY24 - FY26 FUNDING REQUIREMENTS Actual Budget Actual Budget % Norm Var General Government
os
20 Administration $ 497,447 $ 473,656 $ 480,279 $ 808,250 13.8%
23 Assessing 20,525 22,800 19,669 32,700 -4.4%
26 Information Technology 47,752 47,000 54,301 108,600 54.0%
27 Planning and Code Enforcement 43,023 124,300 114,924 193,510 3.8%
Total General Government 608,747 667,756 669,173 1,143,060 14.1%
ed
Public Safety
30 Fire Department 517,334 603,845 582,702 1,026,920 13.4%
39 Other Public Safety 18,406 18,650 12,339 29,000 3.7%
Total Public Safety 535,740 622,495 595,041 1,055,920 13.1%
Public Works
40 Public Works 1,268,718 1,454,228 1,363,565 2,102,500 -3.6%
41 Municipal Buildings 37,589 22,235 20,138 52,250 56.7%
42 Solid Waste 374,150 389,000 446,787 725,800 24.4%
Total Public Works 1,680,457 1,865,463 1,830,490 2,880,550 2.9%Community Services
69
op Other Community Services Total Community Services - - 16,700 16,700 16,100 16,100 1,000 1,000 -96.0% -96.0%
Pr Page 8
As of 2/20/2025
49
Town of Durham FY2026 Budget FY2023 FY2024 FY2024 FY2026 FY24 - FY26 FUNDING REQUIREMENTS Actual Budget Actual Budget % Norm Var Town-wide
os
92 Debt Service 958,390 780,349 782,712 805,318 -31.2%
96 Assessments and Fixed Costs 6,393,743 6,830,432 6,830,432 10,838,789 5.8%
97 Abatements and Bad Debt 8,386 19,751 9,105 - -100.0%
99 Other Financing Uses 152,596 616,836 616,836 595,652 -35.6%
Total Town-wide 7,513,115 8,247,368 8,239,085 12,239,759 -1.1%
ed
TOTAL FUNDING REQUIREMENTS $ 10,338,059 $ 11,419,782 $ 11,349,889 $ 17,320,289 1.1%op
Pr Page 9
As of 2/20/2025
50
Town of Durham FY2026 Budget FY2023 FY2024 FY2024 FY2026 FY24 - FY26 General Government Actual Budget Actual Budget % Norm Var Administration
os
20-7000 Department Head Wages $ 100,877 $ 110,000 $ 111,450 $ 171,420 3.9%
20-7015 Full Time Staff Wages 128,270 93,000 116,143 217,950 56.2%
20-7020 Part Time Staff Wages 16,632 45,000 26,509 - -100.0%
20-7026 Election Worker Wages 3,673 4,000 7,080 6,600 10.0%
20-7030 Elected Official Wages 11,180 11,500 11,017 15,480 -10.3%
20-7050 Payroll Taxes 14,720 8,400 8,327 11,490 -8.8%
ed
20-7055 Health Insurance 24,334 15,600 19,819 67,030 186.5%
20-7070 Workers Comp 5,847 3,256 3,541 2,420 -50.5%
20-7075 Retirement 8,628 14,100 19,079 34,310 62.2%
20-7105 Training and Development 2,677 4,000 2,395 6,000 0.0%
20-7110 Travel and Mileage 1,887 500 52 500 -33.3%
20-7200 Heat 308 2,500 1,328 3,750 0.0%
20-7201 Electricity 60 4,000 3,432 6,000 0.0%
20-7210 Telephone and Internet 274 6,300 4,419 7,000 -25.9%
20-7220 Legal 3,088 10,000 8,505 22,500 50.0%
20-7221 Auditor 18,500 13,000 15,000 17,000 -12.8%
20-7222 Business Services 44,658 30,000 30,854 65,000 44.4%
20-7223 Payroll Processing Services - 10,000 4,916 10,000 -33.3%
20-7250
20-7253
20-7340
20-7350
20-7351
20-7352
20-7354
20-7356
20-7400
20-7800
Building Repairs and MaintAdvertising
Software Licenses General Supplies Lien Costs op Equipment Rentals
General Insurance
Printing and Copying Postage and Freight Dues and Subscriptions 3,885 - 39,156
80
2,597 1,463 14,166 44,322 5,974
141
4,300 5,000 45,000 1,500 5,000 1,500 14,500 - 6,500 1,500 3,840 3,375 45,081 - 4,629 4,449 15,505 - 4,020 2,150 5,000 7,500 72,000 1,500 10,000 7,000 22,000 - 7,000 3,000 -22.5% 0.0% 6.7% -33.3% 33.3% 211.1% 1.1%
-28.2% 33.3%
Pr 20-7801 20-7999 Election Costs Miscellaneous Expenditures Total Administration (223)
273
497,447
Page 10
2,200 1,500 473,656 2,374
990
480,279 3,000 5,800 808,250 -9.1% 157.8% 13.8%
As of 2/20/2025
51
Town of Durham FY2026 Budget FY2023 FY2024 FY2024 FY2026 FY24 - FY26 General Government Actual Budget Actual Budget % Norm Var
Assessing 23-7228 23-7235 23-7400 23-7802 23-7999 Mapping
Miscellaneous Expenditures Total Assessing
Information Technology 26-7020 Assessing Services General Supplies Deeds Costs
Part Time Staff Wages $ 2,225 18,000
212
- 20,525
88
25,976 ed $ 2,800 19,200
250
300
250
22,800
- $
203
18,800 - 19,669
426
240
- $ 2,800 28,800
250
600
250
32,700
- -33.3% 0.0% -33.3% 33.3% -33.3% -4.4%
Pr
26-7050 Payroll Taxes 1,788 - - -
26-7212 IT Services 13,109 15,000 17,496 51,000 126.7%
26-7213 Website 2,415 3,000 5,696 10,100 124.4%
26-7351 Printing and Copying 1,928 - - -
26-7356 Software Licenses 1,033 24,000 27,359 40,000 11.1%
26-7400 General Supplies 202 - - -
26-7404 Hardware 1,301 5,000 3,750 7,500 0.0%
op
Total Information Technology 47,752 47,000 54,301 108,600 54.0%
os As of 2/20/2025
Page 1152
Town of Durham FY2026 Budget FY2023 FY2024 FY2024 FY2026 FY24 - FY26 General Government Actual Budget Actual Budget % Norm Var
Planning and Code Enforcement 27-7015 27-7020 27-7035 27-7050 27-7070 27-7055 27-7075 27-7110 27-7220 27-7350 Full Time Staff Wages Part Time Staff Wages Committee Member Wages Payroll Taxes Workers Comp Health Insurance Retirement Travel and Mileage Legal Advertising - 33,352 2,300 2,732 -
302
25
-
630
111
ed 60,500 40,000 6,000 4,400 - 1,200 5,400 2,000 -
500
58,042 40,390 1,100 3,655 - 1,797 5,536 1,982 -
365
93,810 65,100 5,400 8,430 2,430
870
8,270 3,000 -
700
3.4% 8.5% -40.0% 27.7%
-51.7% 2.1% 0.0%
-6.7% 27-7352 27-7354 27-7400 27-7999 Postage and Freight Dues and Subscriptions General Supplies Miscellaneous Expenditures Total Planning and Code Enforcement
TOTAL GENERAL GOVERNMENT
os $
889
1,280
950
452
43,023
608,747 $ 1,500 1,300 1,000
500
124,300
667,756 $
264
658
650
485
114,924
669,173 $ 1,500 1,750 1,500
750
193,510
1,143,060 -33.3% -10.3% 0.0% 0.0% 3.8%
14.1% op
Pr Page 12
As of 2/20/2025
53
Town of Durham FY2026 Budget FY2023 FY2024 FY2024 FY2026 FY24 - FY26 Public Safety Actual Budget Actual Budget % Norm Var
Fire Department 30-7000 30-7020 30-7050 30-7055 30-7070 30-7075 30-7100 30-7105 30-7200 30-7201 30-7210 30-7229 Department Head Wages Part Time Staff Wages Payroll Taxes Health Insurance Workers Comp Retirement Stipends Training and Development Heat Electricity Telephone and Internet Dispatch Services se $
d 76,179 202,136 21,987 2,449 50,670 3,436 4,943 3,310 11,326 7,908
827
31,662 $ 81,035 262,222 21,600 2,500 33,238 7,250 4,600 7,000 8,000 9,000 5,900 27,000 $ 80,664 232,391 19,055 2,440 35,273 7,370 3,480 4,355 6,217 7,273 6,855 27,977 $ 125,810 458,850 42,800 3,750 64,320 11,090 14,600 10,000 10,000 12,000 13,500 35,000 3.5% 16.7% 32.1% 0.0% 29.0% 2.0% 111.6% -4.8% -16.7% -11.1% 52.5% -13.6%
30-7230 Ambulance Services 16,665 20,000 32,876 45,000 50.0% 30-7252 Equipment Repairs and Maintenance 49,542 20,000 25,723 35,000 16.7%
30-7253 30-7255 30-7354 30-7400 30-7502 30-7504 30-7550 30-7999 Dues and Subscriptions General Supplies Radios Safety Equipment Gas and Diesel
Total Fire Department po Building Repairs and Maintenance Vehicle Repairs and Maintenance
Miscellaneous Expenditures 10,931 - 2,160 1,651 - 13,423 5,790
339
517,334 12,000 40,000 3,000 4,800 6,000 15,000 10,700 3,000 603,845 7,340 28,641 1,480 1,645 4,068 35,356 7,872 4,351 582,702 18,000 60,000 4,500 7,200 10,000 25,000 16,000 4,500 1,026,920 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 11.1% 11.1% -0.3% 0.0% 13.4%
Pr Other Public Safety 39-7240
o TOTAL PUBLIC SAFETY Animal Control Total Other Public Safety
$ 18,406 18,406
535,740 $ 18,650 18,650
622,495 $ 12,339 12,339
595,041 $ 29,000 29,000
1,055,920 3.7% 3.7%
13.1%
As of 2/20/2025
Page 13
54
Town of Durham FY2026 Budget FY2023 FY2024 FY2024 FY2026 FY24 - FY26 Public Works Actual Budget Actual Budget % Norm Var Public Works
os
40-7000 Department Head Wages $ 73,486 $ 77,200 $ 76,919 $ 119,820 3.5%
40-7015 Full Time Staff Wages 279,138 263,000 247,396 378,650 -4.0%
40-7016 Overtime Wages 3,516 30,000 23,053 46,420 3.2%
40-7020 Part Time Staff Wages 12,636 15,000 21,103 34,160 51.8%
40-7050 Payroll Taxes 23,689 5,700 6,039 16,370 91.5%
40-7055 Health Insurance 91,439 99,715 97,652 166,840 11.5%
ed
40-7070 Workers Comp 40,926 25,063 28,740 34,800 -7.4%
40-7075 Retirement 14,222 33,000 30,396 47,990 -3.1%
40-7100 Stipends 2,040 1,200 1,500 1,800 0.0%
40-7105 Training and Development 469 1,000 1,050 2,250 50.0%
40-7200 Heat 6,317 7,000 5,819 10,000 -4.8%
40-7201 Electricity 9,052 8,000 6,744 10,500 -12.5%
40-7210 Telephone and Internet 6,651 5,100 4,747 8,000 4.6%
40-7249 Other Contracted Services 7,928 10,000 9,491 40,000 166.7%
40-7250 Equipment Rentals 3,412 10,000 9,779 15,000 0.0%
40-7252 Equipment Repairs and Maintenance 128,414 40,000 30,624 60,000 0.0%
40-7253 Building Repairs and Maintenance 14,393 12,000 12,319 15,000 -16.7%
40-7254 Grounds Maintenance - 10,000 6,306 - -100.0%
40-7255
40-7256
40-7257
40-7258
40-7259
40-7400
40-7450
40-7451
40-7452
40-7454
Vehicle Repairs and Maintenance
Tree ServicesGeneral Supplies Salt op Paving and Road Work Road Painting and Striping Crack Sealing
Liquid De-Icer Winter Sand Gravel, Asphal, Tar, Concrete - 5,200 285,158 - - 5,054 160,214 - - 26,961 80,000 6,000 400,000 16,000 15,000 4,500 147,000 16,000 7,000 31,000 73,311 3,500 379,157 18,858 15,000 4,063 133,120 14,854 6,456 29,317 120,000 9,000 400,000 20,000 20,000 6,750 294,000 32,000 7,000 46,500 0.0% 0.0% -33.3% -16.7% -11.1% 0.0% 33.3% 33.3% -33.3% 0.0%
Pr 40-7455 40-7456 40-7457 40-7500 Erosion Control Signs Culverts Small Equipment 2,867 3,519 4,926 2,081
Page 14
3,500 4,000 5,000 3,500 3,688 4,047 5,000 2,502 5,200 6,000 5,000 5,200 -1.0% 0.0% -33.3% -1.0%
As of 2/20/2025
55
Town of Durham FY2026 Budget FY2023 FY2024 FY2024 FY2026 FY24 - FY26 Public Works Actual Budget Actual Budget % Norm Var
Public Works 40-7501 40-7502 40-7503 40-7504 40-7549 40-7550 40-7999
Municipal Buildings 41-7020 41-7050 Tools Radios Uniforms Safety Equipment Miscellaneous Equipment Gas and Diesel Miscellaneous Expenditures Total Public Works
Part Time Staff Wages Payroll Taxes se $
$ d - 2,187 2,017 2,760 4,992 43,054 - 1,268,718
4,311
327
$
$ 1,000 2,500 2,750 3,000 7,500 45,000 1,000 1,454,228
6,300
485
$
$
689
572
2,932 3,252 7,325 35,639
606
1,363,565
5,713
437
$
$ 1,500 3,000 6,500 4,500 11,250 90,000 1,500 2,102,500
12,420 1,080 0.0% -20.0% 57.6% 0.0% 0.0% 33.3% 0.0% -3.6%
31.4% 48.5% 41-7070 Workers Comp - - - 500 41-7200 Heat 4,066 - - 500
41-7201 41-7210 41-7249 41-7253 41-7254 41-7359 41-7362 41-7400 41-7808 Electricity Telephone and Internet Other Contracted Services
Grounds Maintenance Street Lights Security General Supplies Flags po Building Repairs and Maint 7,607 7,136 3,530 2,116 1,823 2,215 1,728
649
1,103 6,200
650
- 5,000 - - 1,600 1,000 1,000 5,763
656
- 4,617 - - 1,698
391
863
9,000 - - 8,500 15,000 - 1,500
750
3,000 -3.2% -100.0%
13.3%
-37.5% -50.0% 100.0%
Pr 41-7820
o Union Church Costs Total Municipal Buildings
978
37,589 - 22,235 - 20,138 - 52,250 56.7%
As of 2/20/2025
Page 15
56
Town of Durham FY2026 Budget FY2023 FY2024 FY2024 FY2026 FY24 - FY26 Public Works Actual Budget Actual Budget % Norm Var Solid Waste
os
42-7231 Hauling 361,304 375,000 429,672 690,000 22.7%
42-XXXX Composting Program - - - -
42-7407 Tags 1,858 2,000 2,080 3,000 0.0%
42-7815 Bulky Waste Day 10,988 12,000 15,035 32,800 82.2%
Total Solid Waste 374,150 389,000 446,787 725,800 24.4%
TOTAL PUBLIC WORKS $
ed1,680,457 $ 1,865,463 $ 1,830,490 $ 2,880,550 2.9%op
Pr Page 16
As of 2/20/2025
57
Town of Durham FY2026 Budget FY2023 FY2024 FY2024 FY2026 FY24 - FY26 Community Services Actual Budget Actual Budget % Norm Var
Other Community Services 69-7805 69-7807 General Assistance Outside Organizations Total Other Community Services
TOTAL COMMUNITY SERVICES $
$ ed - - -
- $
$
600
16,100 16,700
16,700 $
$ - 16,100 16,100
16,100 $
$ 1,000 - 1,000
1,000 11.1% -100.0% -96.0%
-96.0% os op
Pr Page 17
As of 2/20/2025
58
Town of Durham FY2026 Budget FY2023 FY2024 FY2024 FY2026 FY24 - FY26 Town-wide Actual Budget Actual Budget % Norm Var
Debt Service 92-7900 92-7901
96-7910 96-7915 Debt Service Principal Debt Service Interest Total Debt Service
Assessments and Fixed Costs County Tax Education Total Assessments and Fixed Costs 848,060 110,330 958,390
ed 677,388 5,716,355 6,393,743 691,867 88,482 780,349
742,140 6,088,292 6,830,432 693,296 89,416 782,712
742,140 6,088,292 6,830,432 698,798 106,520 805,318
816,323 10,022,466 10,838,789 -32.7% -19.7% -31.2%
-26.7% 9.7% 5.8%
Abatements and Bad Debt 97-7970 Tax Abatements Total Abatements and Bad Debt
Other Financing Uses
99-8500 Transfers Out
Total Other Financing Uses
os 8,386
8,386152,596 152,596 19,751 19,751
616,836 616,836 9,105 9,105
616,836 616,836 595,652 595,652 - - -100.0% -100.0%
-35.6% -35.6%
TOTAL TOWN-WIDE
op $ 7,513,115 $ 8,247,368 $ 8,239,085 $ 12,239,759 -1.1%
Pr Page 18
As of 2/20/2025
59
Town of Durham
FY2026 Budget
FY24 Beginning Transfers In FY24 Ending
Fund # Fund Name Fund Balance Revenue (Transfers Out) Expenditures Fund Balance
01 General Fund $ 3,683,470 $ 10,930,597 $ (616,836) $ (10,733,053) $ 3,264,17802
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
ARPA Fund Zoning Compliance Fund River Park Donations Reserve Scholarships Reserve Heating Assistance Reserve Giving Tree Reserve Historic District Commission Reserve Jackson-Tupper Memorial Reserve 169,630 5,000 8,021 12,797 10,956 1,884 1,330
123
ed - -
180
333
100
205
- - - - - - 2,089 (2,089) - - (63,873) (5,000) - (1,000) - - - - 105,757 - 8,201 12,130 13,145 - 1,330
123
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
Emergency Reserve Grants Matching Reserve Recreation Reserve Telecommunications Reserve Revlauation Reserve Eureka Capital Reserve Fire Rescue Capital Reserve Total Restricted
os 209,741
16,953 27,077 23,742 78,824 60,000 3,719 142,091
818
- 22,446 - - - - - -
- 2,293 - - 160,000 50,000 180,000 (69,873)
- (24,968) - (5,293) - (4,903) - 140,686
16,953 26,848 23,742 73,531 220,000 48,816 322,091
Pr
77 Municipal Building Capital Reserve 90,512 4,413 10,000 (34,039) 70,886
78 Public Works Capital Reserve 139,015 - 205,000 (14,215) 329,800
79 Union Church Restoration Reserve 21,633 649 9,543 - 31,825
Total Committed 603,566 27,508 616,836 (83,418) 1,164,492
80 Cemetery Permanent Fund 7,733 174 - - 7,907Notes
C
A Bop Total Governmental Fund Balances $ 4,504,510 $
Page 19
10,959,097 $ - $ (10,886,344) $ 4,577,263As of 2/20/2025
2025
Durham Town Warrant
60
FISCAL YEAR 2026 DURHAM TOWN WARRANT ARTICLES
To: Kimberly Garneau, a resident of the Town of Durham, Androscoggin County, State of Maine
Greetings:
In the name of the State of Maine, you are hereby required to notify and warn the Inhabitants of the Town of Durham in said county and state, qualified by law to vote in Town affairs, to assemble at The Durham Eureka Community Center, 606 Hallowell Road, Durham, Maine on Friday, April 4, 2025 at 7:45 a.m., then and there to act upon Article 1 and by secret ballot on Article 2 as set out below. Polls will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Further, to notify and warn said inhabitants to assemble at Durham Community School on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at 9:00 a.m., then and there to act upon Articles 3 through 34 as set out to wit:
Article 1 To choose a moderator to preside at said meeting.
Article 2 To elect all municipal officers, school committee members, and budget committee
members as are required to be elected.
Article 3 To see if the town will allow non-residents, who have information pertaining to any
following articles, to speak when recognized.Article 4 To see if the Town of Durham will vote to raise and appropriate an amount not to exceed one-and-a-half times the 2024 Durham Municipal Budget for any budget articles not approved in this warrant.
OPERATING BUDGET ARTICLES
Note that all requested amounts to be raised and appropriated below are for an eighteen-month period running from January 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. This period is referred to as “Fiscal Year 2026” and “FY26” in these warrant articles.
Article 5 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $1,143,060 for General
Government.
FY24 Appr FY26 Req
Administration $ 473,656 $ 808,250
Assessing 22,800 32,700
Information Technology 47,000 108,600
Planning and Code Enforcement 124,300 193,510Select Board recommends $1,143,060 Budget Committee recommends $1,065,375
61
FISCAL YEAR 2026 DURHAM TOWN WARRANT ARTICLES
Article 6 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $1,055,920 for Public Safety.
FY24 Appr FY26 Req
Fire Department $ 603,845 $ 1,026,920
Animal Control 18,650 29,000Select Board and Budget Committee recommend Approval.
Article 7 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $2,880,550 for Public Works.
FY24 Appr FY26 Req
Public Works $ 1,454,228 $ 2,102,500
Municipal Buildings & Grounds 22,235 52,250
Solid Waste Hauling 375,000 690,000
Tags 2,000 3,000
Bulky Waste Day 12,000 32,800Select Board and Budget Committee recommend Approval.
Article 8 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $1,000 for Community
Services.
FY24 Appr FY26 Req
General Assistance $ 600 $ 1,000
Outside Organizations 16,100 0Select Board and Budget Committee recommend Approval.
Article 9 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $805,318 for Debt Service.
FY24 Appr FY26 Req
Debt Service $ 780,349 $ 805,318Select Board and Budget Committee recommend Approval.
62
FISCAL YEAR 2026 DURHAM TOWN WARRANT ARTICLES
ADDITIONS TO RESERVES ARTICLES
Article 10 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $270,000 for the Fire Department Capital Reserve, an existing non-lapsing capital reserve fund from which the Select Board may expend for the designated purpose of the reserve.
Select Board and Budget Committee recommend Approval.
Article 11 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $305,500 for the Public Works Capital Reserve, an existing non-lapsing capital reserve fund from which the Select Board may expend for the designated purpose of the reserve.
Select Board and Budget Committee recommend Approval.
Article 12 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $15,000 for the Municipal Buildings Capital Reserve, an existing non-lapsing capital reserve fund from which the Select Board may expend for the designated purpose of the reserve.
Select Board and Budget Committee recommend Approval.
Article 13 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $3,152 for the Grants Matching Reserve, an existing non-lapsing capital reserve fund from which the Select Board may expend for the designated purpose of the reserve.
Select Board and Budget Committee recommend Approval.
FUNDING SOURCES ARTICLES
Article 14 To see if the Town will vote to reduce the amounts authorized to be raised in taxes in
the previous warrant articles by $3,651,770 based on estimates for non-tax
municipal revenues.
FY24 Est FY26 Est
Excise Taxes $ 1,100,000 $ 1,721,000
Licenses, Permits, and Fees 75,400 129,100
Intergovernmental Revenue 1,013,074 1,270,300
Charges for Services 172,000 279,370
Other Revenues 65,000 252,000Select Board and Budget Committee recommend Approval.
63
FISCAL YEAR 2026 DURHAM TOWN WARRANT ARTICLES
Article 15 To see if the Town will authorize the Select Board to appropriate up to $740,000 from the General Fund’s existing fund balance to reduce the amounts authorized to be raised in taxes in the previous warrant articles.
Select Board and Budget Committee recommend Approval.
APPROPRIATION FROM RESERVES
Article 16 To see if the Town will vote to consolidate the Telecommunications Reserve and Eureka Center Capital Reserve with the Municipal Buildings Capital Reserve and to revise the stated purpose of the reserve as follows:
The Municipal Buildings Reserve shall be used to pay for acquisitions, construction, or improvements of municipal buildings and grounds, including equipment, furniture, information technology, and other necessary items to furnish and equip them. Unexpended balances of the reserve shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal year but shall, instead, carry forward from year to year.
Article 17 To see if the Town will vote to rename the Emergency Reserve as the Contingency
Reserve and to establish the stated purpose of the reserve as follows:The Contingency Reserve shall be used to pay for unplanned, unbudgeted, or underbudgeted expenditures if they arise during the fiscal year. Unexpended balances of the reserve shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal year but shall, instead, carry forward from year to year.
Article 18 To see if the town will vote to transfer $33,047 from the Municipal Buildings Capital Reserve to the Contingency Reserve to bring the Contingency Reserve balance to $50,000.
64
FISCAL YEAR 2026 DURHAM TOWN WARRANT ARTICLES
ORDINANCE WARRANT ARTICLES
Article 19 To see if the Town will vote to enact amendments to the Land Use Ordinance as set forth in the document "Town of Durham, Land Use Ordinance as Adopted at Town Meeting, April 6, 2024, Proposed Revisions for Town Meeting, April 5, 2025, PART 1
– DRAFT AMENDMENTS TO THE RESOURCE PROTECTION DISTRICT TO MATCH THE LATEST STATE DATA & GIVE RELIEF FOR BUILDINGS IN THE RP DISTRICT (Article 2 & Zoning Map)” to remove areas previously designated as Beginning with Habitat 6+ natural resource values and to grant relief to landowners with existing buildings in Resource Protection.
Article 20 To see if the Town will vote to enact amendments to the Land Use Ordinance as set forth in the document "Town of Durham, Land Use Ordinance as Adopted at Town Meeting, April 6, 2024, Proposed Revisions for Town Meeting, April 5, 2025, PART 2
– DRAFT AMENDMENTS TO APPLY CONTRACT ZONING TO ANY LARGE BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE OR SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM & ENACT BESS STANDARDS (LUO Articles 2, 3, 5, & 19)” to require contract zoning approval for large-scale energy projects and enact safety and other performance standards to apply to commercial and industrial scale battery energy storage systems.
Article 21 To see if the Town will vote to enact amendments to the Land Use Ordinance as set forth in the document "Town of Durham, Land Use Ordinance as Adopted at Town Meeting, April 6, 2024, Proposed Revisions for Town Meeting, April 5, 2025, PART 4
– DRAFT AMENDMENTS TO REVISE THE PROCESS AND STANDARDS FOR PROJECTS INVOLVING HISTORIC PROPERTIES (LUO Articles 5, 12, & 19)” to bring Durham’s historic preservation standards and regulatory process into consistency with State law and Durham’s comprehensive plan.
BUSINESS ARTICLES
Article 22 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Select Board to accept a deed from the Durham Cemetery Association for the cemetery property described in a deed from said Association recorded in the Androscoggin County Registry of Deeds at Book 7532, Page 346 and depicted on the Town’s tax maps as Map 006, Lot CEM, and to take all other actions necessary to assume contracts and other responsibilities related to care and management of said cemetery.
65
FISCAL YEAR 2026 DURHAM TOWN WARRANT ARTICLES
Article 23 To see if the Town will vote to change the Annual Town Meeting from the first
Saturday in April to the second Saturday in June starting with June 13, 2026.Article 24 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Select Board to seek, accept and disburse grant funds from private, state or federal agencies, for the purpose so designated in each specific grant.
Article 25 To see what action the Town will take in regard to fixing interest on delinquent taxes and establishing a date for interest to start. Interest shall begin to accrue on all unpaid taxes forty-five days after the date taxes are committed. The interest rate on delinquent taxes shall be the maximum allowable by State Law.
Article 26 To see if the Town will vote to leave the appointment of standing committee
members and officials in the hands of the Select Board.Article 27 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Select Board to dispose of town owned property which they determine is no longer needed or usable by the town, on such terms as they deem advisable.
Article 28 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Select Board, on behalf of the Town, to sell and/or dispose of any property acquired by tax liens and allow the Select Board to authorize the Treasurer to waive automatic lien foreclosures when it is in the best interest of the Town.
Article 29 To see if the Town will vote to set the interest rate to be paid by the Town on
overpayment of abated taxes at 2% pursuant to 36 MRSA § 506-A.Article 30 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Tax Collector or Treasurer to accept prepayments of taxes not yet due or assessed, and to pay interest thereon at an interest rate of 0% pursuant to 36 MRSA § 506.
Article 31 To see if the Town will authorize the Select Board to resolve any disputes with
parties having an interest adverse to that of the Town which do not involve the66
FISCAL YEAR 2026 DURHAM TOWN WARRANT ARTICLES
expenditure of public funds or where there are sufficient funds in budgeted accounts to allow payment of any claim which is to be settled.
Article 32 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Treasurer to borrow money on notes approved by at least three members of the Select Board and countersigned by the Select Board Chair, to pay for the operating costs of the Town.
Article 33 To see if the Town will authorize the Select Board to move up to 5% of budget lines that have unexpended appropriations to other budget lines, as they deem necessary, to avoid individual budget lines being over-expended.
Given under our hands this 25th day of March 2025 by the Durham Select Board:
_____________________________________ Joseph Roy, Chair
_____________________________________ Josh Klein-Golden, Vice Chair
_____________________________________ Joseph Tomm
_____________________________________ Heather Roy
_____________________________________ Deborah Oliver
67 2024 Town of Durham, Maine Annual Report
68 2024 Town of Durham, Maine Annual Report
Dear Friends:
It is an honor to represent Maine in the United States Senate, and I welcome this opportunity to share several key accomplishments for our state from the previous year.
As Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I have secured nearly $580 million for 230 projects across all of Maine’s 16 counties to promote job creation, workforce training, and economic development; expand access to health care; support law enforcement; improve public education and infrastructure; and protect our environment. As the new Congress begins, I am honored to be taking the helm of the Committee, the first Mainer to do so in nearly a century, and I remain committed to ensuring that federal spending produces real results for our state and nation.
Maine has the oldest average age in the country, which is why I have long prioritized health-focused legislative efforts. There were more than 1,860 health care bills introduced during the 118th Congress. Only 15 health care bills were signed into law, and I was a lead sponsor of five of them. These bills will enhance care for individuals with Alzheimer’s, autism, and substance abuse issues through improved research funding, strengthened public health programs, and increased support for rural first responders.
Another important bill that I coauthored was the Social Security Fairness Act. Since 2003, when I led the first-ever Senate hearing on the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset, I have sought to end these provisions of the Social Security Act that unfairly reduce the Social Security benefits that public employees or their spouses have earned. I am pleased to say that with the passage of my bill, the Social Security Fairness Act, in December, public sector retirees will now receive the full Social Security benefits they have earned.
When the Maine way of life was under threat, I was certain to defend the interests of our state. I worked to protect Maine’s potato farmers when the Department of Agriculture tried to reclassify the potato from a vegetable to a grain. I thwarted efforts to consolidate USPS mail operations at the Hampden postal facility, which would have disrupted mail delivery throughout our state. I sounded the alarm with leaders at the FBI and Departments of State and Treasury on the spate of illicit marijuana growing operations that are destroying properties and providing refuge to foreign criminals in our state. Following damage to our working waterfronts after last winter’s storms, I secured $15 million to help fishing communities recover. I championed funding to support the Maine Air National Guard base, Bath Iron Works, and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.
As of last December, I have cast more than 9,100 consecutive votes, continuing my record of never missing a roll-call vote since my Senate service began in 1997. My ranking as the most bipartisan Senator reflects Maine’s tradition of working with a spirit of cooperation and respect.
My highest priority as a Senator is to ensure that Maine’s needs are met. If ever I can be of assistance to you, please contact one of my state offices or visit my website at collins.senate.gov.
Sincerely,
Susan M. Collins United States Senator
69 2024 Town of Durham, Maine Annual Report
70 2024 Town of Durham, Maine Annual Report
Bruce Bickford THE MAINE SENATE 3 State House Station Senator, District 20 132nd Legislature Augusta, Maine 04333
Dear Friends and Neighbors:
I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve as your State Senator. It is truly an honor to represent you and work towards making our state a better place to live, work, and do business. I want to assure you that I will continue to work tirelessly on behalf of the people of Senate District 20.
On December 4, 2024, I was sworn in for my first term as a State Senator, marking the first day of the First Regular Session of the 132nd Maine State Legislature. The ceremony was rich in tradition and attended by families and friends.
Many of you have reached out to me with concerns about the rising costs of energy, childcare, housing, education, mental health, substance abuse, workforce development, and community safety, among other important issues. As your State Senator, I am committed to advocating for practical and effective solutions to these challenges.
The 132nd Maine Legislature has much work ahead of us regarding our anticipated budget gap and setting our spending priorities for the next biennium. However, I believe there is nothing we cannot accomplish if we work collaboratively. As your State Senator, I will continue to do all I can to advocate for your priorities in Augusta.
Again, thank you for electing me to serve you in the State Senate. Please feel free to contact me by calling 207-287-1505 or email Bruce.Bickford@legislature.maine.gov if you have comments, questions or if you would like assistance in navigating our state’s bureaucracy.
Sincerely,
Bruce Bickford State Senator
Taxation Committee State House (207) 287-1505 * Fax (207) 287-1527 * Toll Free 1-800-423-6900 * TTY 711 Bruce.Bickford@legislature.maine.gov * legislature.maine.gov/senate
71 2024 Town of Durham, Maine Annual Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2 STATE HOUSE STATION AUGUSTA, MAINE 04333-0002
Kilton Webb (207) 287-1400 366 Bowie Hill Road TTY: MAINE RELAY 711
Durham, ME 04222 Cell: (207) 458-0172 Kilton.Webb@legislature.maine.gov
February 2025 Dear Neighbors:
It is an honor to have the opportunity to serve you in the Maine House of Representatives. Over the next two years, I will be working hard as your advocate in Augusta to make life better for everyone in our district and in our state.
As I write this, we are entering our second month of the first session of the 132nd Legislature. We have a lot of work ahead of us, which will include doing more to lower costs for Maine families, build an economy that works for everyone, increase access to housing and health care, and more. I’m looking forward to working with all of my colleagues to tackle these challenges head-on.
Our most significant priority will be crafting a two-year state budget, which will shape the direction of our state in the near future. I will be fighting to ensure that the budget includes policies that will provide relief and make it easier for more Maine families to build their lives here and make ends meet. My other top goal for the budget includes supporting ongoing funding for pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs to help strengthen Maine’s workforce.
This session, I have been appointed to serve on the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee, where we will work to develop and support sound policy that includes, but is not limited to, energy, tele-communications and local utilities.
Please feel free to contact me if you ever need my help. My phone number is (207) 458-0172, and my email is Kilton.Webb@legislature.maine.gov. I also send out monthly e-newsletters that provide updates on our work at the State House and offer helpful information and resources. Please let me know if you would like to receive them.
I am so grateful to be entrusted with this great responsibility, and I look forward to connecting with you over the next two years.
Sincerely,
Kilton Webb State Representative
District 98: Durham, Pownal, and parts of Bowdoin, Lisbon and Topsham
72
2025
Holiday Closings
New Year’s Day Wednesday, January 1, 2025 Martin Luther King Day Monday, January 20, 2025 President’s Day Monday, February 17, 2025 Patriot’s Day Monday, April 21, 2025 Memorial Day Monday, May 26, 2025 Juneteenth Thursday, June 19, 2025 Independence Day Friday, July 4, 2025 Labor Day Monday, September 1, 2025 Indigenous People’s Day Monday, October 13, 2025 Veteran’s Day Tuesday, November 11, 2025 Thanksgiving Day Thursday, November 27, 2025 Thanksgiving Friday Friday, November 28, 2025 Christmas Thursday, December 25, 2025 New Year’s Day Thursday, January 1, 2026
73 2024 Town of Durham, Maine Annual Report
74
Early morning fog on the Androscoggin River - Cedar Pond Road, Durham, Maine 2024
75
Source: annual_report_final_2024.pdf on durhammaine.gov. Text extracted with pdftotext; no wording has been corrected.