During the holiday season, the Town of Durham and volunteers prepare Thanksgiving baskets for families and individuals in need. Stresses from financial difficulties, unemployment, medical problems, and other personal or family issues often create unanticipated hardships.
We are gratefully accepting:
Frozen Turkeys: Please let Morgan know by 11/13 if you are bringing a turkey. Please drop off the turkey by 11/17.
Fixings: Gravy, canned vegetables (french-style green beans, yams, corn), cranberry sauce, cream of mushroom soup, crispy fried onions, instant potatoes, corn bread (boxed), & stuffing. Please drop off non-perishables by 11/13.
Donations can be dropped off to the Durham Community Center, 144 Pickett Lane Monday – Friday between 8:30 and 4:30 or by appointment.
Contact Morgan with questions: 860-349-3153.
Gift cards (Stop & Shop, Aldi, Walmart) also needed.
Families or individuals having difficulties are encouraged to call the Durham Human Services office to sign up for a Thanksgiving Basket no later than November 6th.
Public Hearing of the Planning and Zoning Commission
The Town Planning and Zoning Commission of Durham, Connecticut will hold a public hearing at their regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at Durham Town Hall, 3rd Floor Meeting Room, 30 Town House Rd. or via ZOOM, a remote video teleconferencing platform, login information found at:
1. Town of Durham Planning & Zoning Commission, Adoption of Plan of Conservation and Development
At this hearing, interested persons may appear and be heard and written communications will be received. A copy of this application is on file in the Land Use Office, Durham Town Hall, for public inspection.
Join us on Saturday, October 3rd at 12:00 pm at the Durham Community Center for a Lecture on The Life and Times of General James Wadsworth (1730-1816) presented by Town Historian, Fran Korn.
Sponsored by the Durham Cemetery Company, Durham250, the Durham Historical Society, and the WadswortChapter, CTDAR. Refreshments served.
Questions? Contact Sarah Atwell, 860-716-5497 sarahatwell1983@gmail.com
Copies of the Charter Revision questions to appear on the ballot are available in the Town Clerk's office for public review. Explanatory text will be made available at a later date
PURSUANT TO CONNECTICUT GENERAL STATUTES SEC 12-40
Owners and lessees of all tangible personal property located in the Town of Durham as of October 1, 2026 must file Personal Property Declarations in the Assessor’s Office on or before November 2, 2026. Declarations, extension requests, and exemption applications are available on the Town website and in the Assessor’s Office.
Tangible personal property includes, but is not limited to, UNREGISTERED MOTOR VEHICLES, MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT OF COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL BUSINESSES, FARM MACHINERY, BUSINESS COMPUTERS/COMPUTER EQUIPMENT, OFFICE FURNITURE & FIXTURES, LEASEHOLD IMPROVEMENTS, etc. Failure to file will result in a penalty per CGS Sec 12-41.
Questions may be directed to the Assessor’s Office at (860) 343-6723 or (860) 343-6709.
For further information, click on the following link:
Step back in time and experience history! Join us on Saturday, October 17, 2026 from 10:00 a.m., to 4:00 p.m. at the Durham Fairgrounds for a day of living history, music, and community. Battle will take place at 2:00 p.m.!
This event is presented by the Durham America 250 Committee and the Durham Historical Society. For more information, please visit www.durhamhistory.com and follow us on Facebook at DurhamCT250
Beginning October 1, 2026 the state of CT requires a 48 hour waiting period for marriage licenses between application and issuance of the license. Appointments are required for new marriage licenses, please plan accordingly
Thursday, September 24 Durham Library is CLOSED Thursday
Town Hall and Community Center will remain OPEN on Thursday,. Please note, there will be limited access to the buildings for the public starting around 3:30 p.m. Some individual office hours may vary:
Remembrance of 9/11 will be held at the Town Green, on Friday, September 11, 2026, at 6:00pm (rain for shine) to honor the lives of those killed in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
For more information please contact Town Hall, 860-349-3625.
The Durham Board of Assessment Appeals will meet on Thursday, Sept 10 at 5:00 PM in the town hall second floor conference room to hear motor vehicle appeals. Appointments are not necessary and appeals will be heard on a first-come, first-served basis. Appeal forms can be found on the town website and paper copies will be available at the meeting.
Notice is hereby given that a Primary of the political party listed below will be held in your town on August 11, 2026 for nomination to each office indicated below.
Office Party Candidate Address Governor Democratic *Ned Lamont 4 Ashton Drive, Greenwich, CT 06831 Governor Democratic Josh Elliott 28 Cobbleston Dr., Hamden, CT 06518 Dated at Hartford, Connecticut, this 23 day of June, 2026
As provided such primary will begin with early voting on August 3, 2026 through August 9, 2026, and the primary of the referenced party for nomination to the state or district offices therein specified will be held on August 11, 2026. The hours of voting during early voting and at said primary and the location of the polls will be as follows: Early Voting - Hours of Voting: Location: Durham Community Center August 03, 2026 - 10:00 am to 6:00 pm 144 Pickett Lane, Durham, CT 06422 August 04, 2026 - 8:00 am to 8:00 pm August 05, 2026 - 10:00 am to 6:00 pm August 06, 2026 - 8:00 am to 8:00 pm August 07, 2026 - 10:00 am to 6:00 pm August 08, 2026 - 10:00 am to 6:00 pm August 09, 2026 - 10:00 am to 6:00 pm HOURS OF VOTING: 6:00 A.M. TO 8:00 P.M.
CURBSIDE VOTING IS AVAILABLE
ABSENTEE BALLOTS AVAILABLE IN TOWN CLERKS' OFFICE -HERE
The Transfer Station will be completing essential repairs and will be CLOSED on Thursday, July 30th. We will remain open on Monday, July 27 and Saturday, August 1. Thank you for your patience during our temporary closure.
The Town of Durham Public Works Department will be starting the annual Chip Sealing project August 10, 2026, weather permitting. The chip sealing process involves the laying of oil and stone and is expected to take approximately one week. Residents are reminded to adhere to the posted 15 miles per hour speed limit on freshly sealed roads and to use alternate routes during working hours to avoid delays.
The following roads are scheduled: Laurel Terrace, Ridge Road North, Cedar Drive, Creamery Road, Ridge Road South, Meeting House Hill Road, Anthony Terrace, Thody Drive, Augur Lane, Etzel Drive, and Pleasant Terrace.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Public Works department at 860-349-1816.
July 14 - 16, 2026: According to the latest forecast, during this period Connecticut is expected to experience temperatures reaching into the mid-to-high 90s, with the heat index surpassing 100 degrees at times. The Town of Durham wants to remind our residents that the following town owned buildings that are available for cooling off:
Community Center, 144 Pickett Lane Tuesday 7/14, Wednesday 7/15, and Thursday 7/16 8:30 a.m., to 8:00 p.m.
Durham Public Library, 7 Maple Avenue Tuesday 7/14, Wednesday 7/15, and Thursday 7/16 9:00 a.m., – 8:00 p.m.
Connecticut’s Extreme Hot Weather Protocol functions to ensure that the most vulnerable populations receive protection from the severely hot and humid weather, which could be life threatening, especially for those of a certain age or with certain medical conditions. While activated, a system is set up for state agencies, municipalities, and other partners to coordinate with United Way 2-1-1 to make sure that information regarding cooling centers is available statewide, providing a location for those in need of relief.
Additional Cooling centers will be available throughout Connecticut. Anyone in need of a place to get out of the heat can locate their nearest cooling center by viewing the list that will be published online at www.211ct.org or calling 2-1-1.
Although anyone can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others: • Infants and young children are sensitive to the effects of high temperatures and rely on others to regulate their environments and provide adequate liquids. • People 65 years of age or older may not compensate for heat stress efficiently and are less likely to sense and respond to change in temperature. • People who are overweight may be prone to heat sickness because of their tendency to retain more body heat. • People who overexert during work or exercise may become dehydrated and susceptible to heat sickness. • People who are physically ill, especially those with heart disease or high blood pressure, or who take certain medications, such as for depression, insomnia, or poor circulation, may be affected by extreme heat. Some prevention tips to stay safe in extreme heat include: • Keep your body temperature cool to avoid heat-related illness. • Stay in air-conditioned buildings as much as possible. If you must be outdoors, try to limit your outdoor activity to the morning and evening. Try to rest often in shady areas so that your body has a chance to cool off. • Find an air-conditioned location. (Call 2-1-1 for a list of cooling centers.) Do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device. • Avoid direct sunlight. • Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. • Take cool showers or baths. • Check on those most at-risk several times a day. • Pets that cannot be brought indoors should be provided ready access to water and shade to keep them cool. • Never leave pets inside of parked vehicles because temperatures can soar to life-threatening levels within minutes.
Everyone is also reminded to stay hydrated during periods of extreme heat. As we lose fluid through sweat, dehydration is common during very high temperatures. It is strongly encouraged to:
• Drink more water than usual. • Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink more fluids. • Drink two to four cups of water every hour while working or exercising outside. • Avoid alcohol or liquids containing high amounts of sugar. • Remind others to drink enough water.
To subscribe to emergency alerts through the state’s CT Alert notification system, visit ct.gov/ctalert.
For emergency management news and resources, visit the state’s CTPrepares website at ct.gov/ctprepares.
The Board of Selectmen, pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 7-191(b), will hold a Public Hearing to receive comments and recommendations regarding the Draft Report of Proposed Amendments to the Town Charter from the Durham Charter Revision Commission.
All town buildings including the Town Hall, Durham Public Library, Community Center and Public Works will be CLOSED on Friday, July 3rd. Normal hours will resume Monday, July 6th
The Transfer Station will be CLOSED Saturday, July 4th and will reopen on Monday, July 6th.
Notice is hereby given that a Primary of the political party listed below will be held in your town on August 11, 2026 for nomination to each office indicated below. SEE FULL LEGAL NOTICE2026 Notice of Primary.pdf
Following multiple unsuccessful Board of Education budget referendums, the Board of Finance approved the mill rate for the October 1, 2025 Grand List at its meeting on June 22, 2026. The Tax Collector's Office, in coordination with the Town's tax billing vendor, will now finalize the tax billing process. Tax bills are expected to be mailed within approximately 12 to 15 business days.
The 2025 Grand List Tax Bills for Durham may not be available for the first installment due date of July 1, 2026. In accordance with CT. Gen. S.S. 12-142; Durham taxpayers will have 30 days from the date the bills are mailed to pay without any interest penalty.
We appreciate your patience and understanding during this process. The Tax Collector's Office is committed to issuing tax bills as quickly as possible.
After the 30-day payment period, unpaid bills will be charged interest from the July 1 due date at a rate of 1.5% per month (or any portion of a month). All delinquent interest will be calculated from July 1, 2026, per State Statute.
June 25 Sonic Nation July 9 Beth and the Boys July 16 Middletown Symphonic Band July 30 Rob Glassman Aug 6 River Jack Sun Aug 16* Number 9 Beatles Tribute Band August 20 Kings of Karma August 27 Small Town Roots
Join us for a free lecture with local historian Brendan Rea Jr. as he discusses the Town of Durham's historic origins and presents a survey of the surviving colonial architecture seen around town.
Saturday, May 30, 2026 3:00 p.m. Durham Community Center
There is no fee for this program. Please contact Carolyn at the Community Center, 860-894-7837 or chavrda@townofdurhamct.org
Saturday, June 6, 2026 2:00 p.m. Durham Community Center and Allyn Brook Park
This event is rain or shine, but the forecast looks sunny and beautiful! We will have a tents, water filling stations, and indoor air conditioning with activities and seating. We will also have water games and sprinkler activities for the kids! See details below!
Join us for town wide picnic honoring America 250. Activities will include:
Durham Patriotic Artists Exhibition 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. inside Community Center
Old Fashioned Fun and Games (3-legged race, potato sack, relay race, water balloon toss) - Click Here for Schedule <--
An All-American Picnic
Picnic foods and water available for purchase inside the Community Center. All proceeds go to the America 250 Committee
Please feel free to bring your own picnic food
Apple Pie Eating Contests :
Pre-Registration is required for participation
Limited to ten adults ages 14+ and ten children 13 and under
Sign up will begin at 2:00 p.m., at the Welcome Tent
Contest will take place at 5:00 p.m.
America250 Birthday Song/Cake at 5:30 p.m. in the Community Center Cafe
Patriotic Concert at Allyn Brook Park featuring The Middletown Symphonic Band starting at 6:00 p.m.
Coginchaug Little League Majors Baseball, Finale played ‘under the lights’ at 7:30 p.m.
Community Organizations: Please contact us to volunteer or donate toward the day's activities! Carolyn Havrda (860-894-7837 or chavrda@townofdurhamct.org)
This year’s Memorial Day Parade will take place on Monday, May 25th. The parade will step off at 9:15 a.m., at the corner of Haddam Quarter Road and Main Street and then continue down Main Street to the Town Green. Parade participants should assemble at the corner between 8:15 a.m., and 8:30 a.m. The parade will take place rain or shine.
Immediately following the parade there will be a ceremony at the Town Green to honor our nations servicemen and servicewomen who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom
For any questions, comments, or concerns please contact: durham.memorialday.parade@gmail.com
Any Durham or Middlefield Veteran wishing to ride in the Durham Veteran Float, please meet at the corner of Haddam Quarter and Rt 17 at 8:45 a.m. 🇺🇸
Grand Marshal
The town is proud to announce Bob Chadd as the 2026 Memorial Day Parade Grand Marshal. Bob is a Coast Guard veteran and a long time resident of Durham. While in the Coast Guard, he was stationed in New York City as a Shore Patrolman. Bob and his wife Kathy still reside in town, where they raised their two children, Cindy and Rob.
Memorial Day History Observed on the last Monday in May, Memorial Day is an annual day of remembrance to honor all those who died in service to the U.S. during peacetime and war. Many people visit cemeteries and memorials, and volunteers place American flags on graves at national cemeteries. A national moment of remembrance takes place at 3 p.m. local time.
The observance began as Decoration Day when flowers were placed on graves of the fallen, with the first national celebration held at Arlington National Cemetery, May 30, 1868. At the turn of the century, it was designated as Memorial Day. In 1971, federal law changed the observance to the last Monday in May.
Notice is hereby given that at a duly warned Special Town Meeting held on Monday, May 11, 2026, amendments to the Durham Code of Ordinances were adopted as follows:
1. Removal of Snow From Sidewalks
Per the Town of Durham Charter, Chapter 3, Section 3.5.2 said ordinance shall be effective June 10, 2026 but not before a notice of the ordinance has been published.
Copies of the ordinance are available from the Town Clerk’s Office, 30 Town House Road, Durham, CT at no charge to any person making a request. A copy is also available on the Town of Durham website HERE
Dated in Durham, CT this 15th day of May 2026. Nicole Charest Durham Town Clerk
The Special Town Meeting held on Monday, April 27, 2026, voted to adopt an Ordinance Establishing the Use of Automated Traffic Enforcement Safety Devices (ATESD) .
To view the approved Ordinance, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), plus additional information including Durham Speed Studies, and the CT DOT ATESD Manual Guide use the links listed under Resources on this page.
The Town of Durham Annual Budget Meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 11, 2026 at 7:00 p.m., at the Durham Community Center, 144 Pickett Lane.Click here for more information.
Applications are now being taken for the State Elderly/Disabled Tax Relief Programs, the Town of Durham Senior Tax Relief Programs (Freeze or Deferral), and the Additional Veterans’ Exemption Program.
To qualify for the State Elderly/Disabled or the Town Senior Tax Relief Programs, applicants must be at least 65 years of age OR be classified as totally and permanently disabled (regardless of age) and meet state and local income requirements.
This year’s state income requirements are shown below:
Do not complete the qualifying income portion of the application or return it to the State. It is to be completed in your appointment with the Human Services Department or the Assessor’s Office.
Applications are by appointment only. To arrange a time, once you’ve filed your 2025 income tax return, call:
Morgan Perry, Social Services Coordinator, at (860) 349-3153
Note: The Human Services Office has moved and is now located on the 1st floor of the Durham Community Center at 144 Pickett Lane.
Lynn Riotte or Barbara Hammarlund, Assistant Assessors, at (860) 343-6709 or (860) 343-6723
The Assessor’s Office is located on the 2nd floor of Town Hall at 30 Town House Road.
You must bring your filed 2025 IRS TAX RETURN (if applicable) and ALL INCOME STATEMENTS, including W-2 forms, Social Security Statements (SSA-1099), dividend and interest statements, pension statements, Veteran’s Disability Payment letters, etc. to your appointment.
For those already enrolled in a program, failure to re-file will result in benefits being removed from the July tax bill. Late filing is not allowed by ordinance.
Town of Durham Public Hearing Monday, April 6, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. 3rd floor, Town Hall, and Remote via Zoom Meeting ID: 815 8239 8049 Code: 463867
The purpose of this public hearing is to present information, discuss and provide an opportunity for public comments on the following: 1. Proposed revisions to ordinance § 14-1 Removal of snow from sidewalks.
The Public Hearing will start at 7:30 p.m. and take place during the Board of Selectmen meeting. To view the proposed revisions, click here
Gather for a lecture on colonial gardening with Leslie Martino, landscape designer. Light refreshments provided by Durham and Middletown Garden Clubs. This lecture is free, please register with Carolyn at the Community Center 860-894-7837 or chavrda@townofdurhamct.org
Discover Durham! Put on those comfy shoes and join us for a Main Street stroll to learn about local history. Approximate length: 1.4 miles (from the town green to Rt. 68 and back at a leisurely pace). Gather at Town Hall on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.
Register with Carolyn at the Community Center, 860-894-7837
Discover Durham! Put on those comfy shoes and join us for a Main Street stroll to learn about local history. Approximate length: 1.4 miles (from the town green to Rt. 68 and back at a leisurely pace). Gather at Town Hall on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.
Register with Carolyn at the Community Center, 860-894-7837
Discover Durham! Put on those comfy shoes and join us for a Main Street stroll to learn about local history. Approximate length: 1.4 miles (from the town green to Rt. 68 and back at a leisurely pace). Gather at Town Hall on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.
Register with Carolyn at the Community Center, 860-894-7837
Durham Recreation's Annual Easter Egg Hunt will take place on Saturday, March 28th at Allyn Brook Park. For more information visit the link to RecDesk <--
Join us for a discussion with Dr. Michael Good about people in the Haddam Quarter section of town who struggled with and succumbed to illnesses and accidents between 1886 and 1913, all of whom would have survived 100 years later. There is no fee.
Saturday, March 28, 2026 3:00 p.m. Durham Community Center
There is no fee for this program. Register with Carolyn at the Community Center, 860-894-7837
Notice is hereby given that a copy of the Financial Statements and Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants for the Durham-Middlefield Interlocal Agreement Advisory Board (DMIAAB) for year ending June 30, 2025 is available for public inspection at the Durham Town Clerk’s office, 30 Townhouse Road, Durham, CT.
Dated in Durham, CT this 27th day of March 2026. Nicole Charest Durham Town Clerk
A certified list of party-selected candidates for the Democratic and Republican Parties in the Town of Durham for participation as Delegates to the conventions of said Party specified below is on file in my office at:
30 Town House Road, Durham, Connecticut and copies are available for public distribution:
CONVENTIONS Judge of Probate Convention State Convention State Senate District 12 State Senate District 34 Assembly District 101 Assembly District 86 3rd Congressional District Convention
Annual Brush Pick-Up The Durham Public Works Department starts its Annual Brush Pick-up beginning the 2nd week of April. Residents should place brush along the curb prior to that date. Homeowners are reminded each house is limited to one truckload of brush. Please stack brush for easy and efficient pick-up following the requirements below. Brush piles not conforming to these requirements will not be picked up - they will be left for the homeowner to dispose of. The town crew will make ONE PASS ONLY on each street.
Brush Pile Specifications:
Piles need to be placed cut end toward the curb.
Piles cannot be stacked more than 4 feet tall.
Brush must be less than 8 foot in total length.
Trunks or branches are to be no larger than 4 inches in diameter.
NO processed wood or stumps.
Do not place piles within 15 feet of any electrical transformers or phone/cable boxes that may be located along the roadside. Please be careful when working near power lines.
Piles need to be located 10 feet from telephone poles and mailboxes.
If you have a question or need additional information, please call the Public Works Department at 860-349-1816 during the hours of 8:00 a.m., to 3:00 p.m.
Join local baker and cake decorator Sheryl from Frosted for a fun and creative evening learning the art of mini cake decorating! In this hands-on class, you’ll decorate four mini cakes from start to finish — and take home your completed creations.
Perfect for beginners or anyone wanting to sharpen their skills, you’ll learn essential piping techniques including simple borders, rosettes and swirls to create professional looking designs. I’ll guide you step-by-step through frosting application, piping bag control, and share decorating tips I use in my own custom orders. I will also share some cupcake and frosting recipes to use at home!
-All supplies included -Pre-baked mini cakes ready for decorating -Buttercream + piping tools provided -Hands-on instruction from an experienced cake decorator -Take home your finished cakes
Tuesday, March 3 - Due to the upcoming inclement weather, Community Center afternoon programs have been cancelled. This includes: mobility exercise, mahjong, and youth gym/game room session.
Please be advised due to the forecasted winter storm, the towns Emergency Operations Center/Storm line will be monitored and can be reached at 860-343-6735. Please remember, if you have an emergency to dial 911.
PARKING BAN: a parking ban on town streets and highways will be in effect starting at 12:00 p.m., Sunday, February 22nd. Violators of this ban will be subject to a fine and the cost of towing, per town ordinance. We will advise when parking ban is lifted.
Public Hearing Postponed: The Public Hearing on the Proposed Ordinance Establishing the Use of Automated Traffic Enforcement Safety Devices (ATESD) scheduled for Monday, February 23rd has been postponed to Monday, March 2nd. More information can be accessed on the town website.
As the storm progresses, updates will be provided including any potential town building closures. As a reminder, to stay informed about local emergencies and community updates please register for Everbridge. You can also sign up for the towns newsletterthat includes notifications and alerts.
Board of Selectmen will be holding a public informational Q&A on Saturday, March 7th from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., in the library room at the Community Center.
The board would like to use this time to allow members of the public the opportunity to ask questions and/or to speak about any of their concerns. Coffee and light refreshments provided.
Town buildings including Town Hall, Community Center and Library will be CLOSED on Monday, February 16, 2026 for Presidents Day. The Transfer Station will be OPEN.
Town buildings will open at 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday 1/27 due to the ongoing winter storm cleanup. This includes Town Hall, Community Center and Library. The Transfer Station will operate at normal hours.
The Parking Ban is lifted effective 12:00 p.m./noon on Monday, January 26th
Town buildings, including Town Hall, Community Center, Library and Transfer Station, will be CLOSED on Monday, January 26th due to the winter storm. Normal hours will resume Tuesday, unless otherwise notified.
The Transfer Station will be OPEN on Tuesday January 27th.
Winter Storm Update and Parking Ban
Please be advised due to the forecasted winter storm, the towns Emergency Operations Center/Storm line will be monitored and can be reached at 860-343-6735. Please remember, if you have an emergency to dial 911.
PARKING BAN: a parking ban on town streets and highways will be in effect starting at 10:00 p.m., Saturday, January 24th. Violators of this ban will be subject to a fine and the cost of towing, per town ordinance. We will advise when parking ban is lifted.
As the storm progresses, updates will be provided including any potential town building closures. As a reminder, to stay informed about local emergencies and community updates please register for Everbridge. You can also sign up for the towns newsletterthat includes notifications and alerts.
