“FRIDAY UPDATES”

June 13, 2008

(Courtesy Daniel Keefe)

For those of you who may not recognize this creature, it is a fisher, feeding on a suet feeder located in the backyard of Durham resident Daniel Keefe. Dan’s photograph was featured in the June 10, 2008 edition of The New York Times, along with an article about fishers. To read this interesting article, please click on the following link:  http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/10/science/10fish.html?ex=1370836800&en=f645f53f1e6f4bc8&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

Town Offices Closed for Independence Day

The Town Offices will be closed in observance of the July 4th holiday on Friday, July 4, 2008. All offices will reopen for regular business hours on Monday, July 7, 2008 at 8:00 AM.  There will be no change to the rubbish and recycling collection schedule.

UPDATE ON STONE QUARRY DRIVE TIF DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT

On March 3, 2008, the Town Council discussed a draft Development Agreement between the Town of Durham and Rockingham Properties relative to moving forward with extending municipal water and sewer to Stone Quarry Drive as part of the Stone Quarry Drive Tax Increment Finance District established by the Council on October 15, 2007.  The draft Development Agreement brought forward by the Administrator after extensive negotiations with Rockingham Properties on March 3rd had utilized a cash escrow deposit of $102,000 as well as 1st mortgages and deeds in lieu of foreclosure to be held in escrow on 4 lots of the Town’s choosing from within the Stone Quarry Drive subdivision as security against the possibility of the development sitting idle and not generating the tax revenues needed to meet the Town’s long-term debt obligations for the noted infrastructure improvements budgeted at $850,000.  After discussing the proposal in some detail on March 3rd, a majority of Councilors indicated that the proposal was not acceptable because it did not include a surety or similar form of guarantee to adequately protect the interests of the Town.  Mr. Selig communicated this to Rockingham Properties at that time.  It is the Administrator’s understanding that Rockingham Properties had researched potential surety/guarantee arrangements with financial institutions and had also evaluated whether it might provide an additional cash contribution to be held in escrow by the Town in lieu of a security/guarantee.  In late-May 2008, Rockingham Properties proposed to increase the cash contribution from $102,000 as originally discussed on March 3rd to $180,000.  Other terms of the draft Development Agreement brought forward for Council consideration on March 3rd would remain unchanged.  During the Council Roundtable discussion on June 2, 2008, the Administrator asked the Council whether there was an interest in scheduling this topic for further discussion and consideration at the June 16th Council meeting.  The majority of the Council indicated that it was interested in doing so and asked the Administrator to schedule the topic.  Updated bond market information follows:

In addition, the New Hampshire Municipal Bond Bank held a bond sale on Thursday, June 12, 2008.  The Bond Bank received a rate of between 4.22% and 4.25% on the notes issued for a 20 year period. Every .5% increase in interest rates will cost an additional $3,000 in annual bond payments as part of the $850,000 bond anticipated for this project.  The Bond Bank sale is very instructive as to the present market environment for municipal bond issues in New Hampshire.  As a final update relative to this project prior to Monday's Council meeting when it will next be discussed, on June 9, 2008, the Administrator and Council Chair met with the President of Rockingham Properties to discuss the Development Agreement further as well as various alternative arrangements that might be utilized in order to protect the interests of the Town.  At this time, Rockingham Properties is evaluating various scenarios and we await further feedback from the company.  On Monday evening, the Council will have an opportunity to review an Excel spreadsheet analysis outlining various financial scenarios that will be useful as part of the general discussion. 

MOST “CONSERVATIVE OR RESTRICTIVE” PROVISION OF ZONING ORDINANCE, SECTION 175-9, A (13)

A lengthy discussion was held regarding this item at the Town Council meeting on March 17, 2008. At the conclusion of the discussion, there was a loose Council consensus to move away from the philosophical “most conservative or restrictive” approach indicated in Section 175-9(A)(13) of the Zoning Ordinance and that this item be brought forward as an ordinance for the April 7, 2008 Town Council meeting. Section 175-14 (B) of the Durham Zoning Ordinance states that Council-initiated changes shall be referred to the Planning Board for its review and study. A number of Councilors also expressed interest in deleting Section 175-9(A)(13) altogether.  On April 7, 2008 the Town Council discussed a proposed Council-initiated amendment relative to the “most conservative or restrictive” approach contained within the Town Zoning Ordinance. The Council subsequently passed a motion to strike paragraph 13 altogether under Section 175-9(A) and sent the amendment to the Planning Board for its review and recommendations.  At the Planning Board meeting on May 14, 2008, the Planning Board held a public hearing to solicit input from the public on the Council-initiated amendment.  After opening and closing the public hearing with no comments from the public, a motion was passed to recommend that the Town Council adopt the amendment. On Monday, June 2, 2008, the Town Council moved the ordinance on First Reading and scheduled a public hearing for Monday, June 16, 2008. A public hearing notice was published in the Foster’s Daily Democrat on Saturday, June 7, 2008. The notice was also posted on the public bulletin board located outside of the Town Hall, as well as at the Department of Public Works and the Durham Public Library.  To view an opinion from the Town attorney on the implications of this change, go to the Town's web site at www.ci.durham.nh.us and scroll down on the home page under the "News" section.

ENERGY-EFFICIENT LIGHTING INSTALLED AT TOWN OFFICE

Contractors have been at work over the course of this week installing new energy-efficient lighting throughout the entire Durham Town Office building, including the Council chambers. Hopefully everyone will be satisfied with the ambient light generated from these new fixtures and that they perform well on saving the Town on energy consumption well into the future.

WATER/WASTEWATER BUY-IN CONNECTION FEE ANALYSIS

On Tuesday, June 17, 2008, Director of Planning and Community Development Jim Campbell, Town Engineer David Cedarholm, the Administrator, as well as the Town’s water/wastewater and impact fee consultants will meet to discuss the development of a new objective connection buy-in fee for new water and wastewater hookups. The goal is to try and make the connection fee as equitable as possible. It has been some time since this issue was last evaluated by the community.

MILNE MEMORIAL DEVELOPMENT

On Wednesday, June 18, 2008, a group from the Town will meet with artist Walter Liff in order to develop ideas for a memorial on the Milne parcel that was donated to the Town as part of the late Margery Milne’s bequest. The Milne parcel is located off of Mill Road next to the Mill Pond.

INTEGRATED WASTE MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE SEEKING MEMBERS

The Integrated Waste Management Advisory Committee (IWMAC) works within the community of Durham to reduce the total amount of solid waste by increasing community awareness and participation in waste management issues. The committee meets for approximately 1.5 hours each month to develop creative and educational outreach programs which promote sustainability. Residents interested in being appointed to this committee may obtain an application form by clicking HERE.  Applications are also available at the Town Clerk-Tax Collector’s Office. Completed applications may be submitted via email to jberry@ci.durham.nh.us, or mailed to Jennie Berry, Town of Durham, 15 Newmarket Road.

FACTS FROM “THE STORY OF STUFF”

The Integrated Waste Management Advisory Committee would like to remind residents that…the old adage "Waste Not - Want Not" is overdue for a revival.  For some interesting facts on consumption in the United States, check out the following link:  http://www.storyofstuff.com/pdfs/annie_leonard_facts.pdf.

HICKORY POND INN TO BEGIN SERVING DINNER

Hickory Pond Inn, located in Durham on Route 108/Newmarket Road, will be "open to the public" beginning on June 20, 2008 serving dinner on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings by reservation.  For more information, contact the Hickory Pond Inn at www.hickorypondinn.com or call 659-2227.

MAIN STREET PROJECT

The Department of Public Works has finalized, documented, and forwarded to the contractor a list of finishing punch list details relating to the Main Street project. Public Works expects to hear back from the contractor soon with a schedule for the finishing work.  Items needing to be addressed by the contractor include: settling crosswalks, roadway striping and markings, pavement undermining, etc.

SIDEWALK POWER WASHING

Sidewalks in the downtown area will be power washed on Monday evening, June 16, 2008.  The washing will begin on or about 9:00 PM.  Notices of this upcoming event were distributed to all downtown businesses in the area of the power washing. Business owners are asked to please remove all message boards, signs, and outside furniture before 9:00 PM on Monday so that the contractor can get to all areas.  Thank you for you cooperation.  We will utilize a soy-based product that is safe for the environment. This effort is part of the Town’s goal in keeping the downtown looking good.

2008 ROAD PROGRAM PROGRESS UPDATE

Roadwork will resume on Wednesday, June 18, 2008, for the 2008 Road Program.  The roads that will be worked on beginning June 18 are: Ambler Way, Gerrish Drive, Watson Road, Williams Way, and Tirrell Place. 

WATER CONSERVATION TIPS      

ü      Collect the water you use for rinsing produce and reuse it to water houseplants.

ü      Divide your watering cycle into shorter periods to reduce runoff and allow for better absorption every time you water.

ü      Choose a water-efficient drip irrigation system for trees, shrubs, and flowers. Watering at the roots is very effective--be careful not to over water.

PUBLIC MEETING SCHEDULE

The following public meetings are scheduled for the coming week in the Town Council chambers at the Durham Town Office and will begin at 7:00 PM unless otherwise indicated below.

Town Council – Monday, June 16, 2008

Integrated Waste Management Advisory Committee – Tuesday, June 17, 2008 (7:30 AM)

Planning Board – Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Parks and Recreation Committee – Thursday, June 19, 2008

To view an agenda for the meetings listed above, please click HERE.  All meetings recorded on DCAT are available on DVD at the Durham Public Library for checkout and viewing.

MCGREGOR MEMORIAL EMS WELCOMES NEW PARAMEDIC BENJAMIN BRIGGS

McGregor Memorial EMS now has eight paramedics to serve the community. Benjamin Briggs is the newest paramedic to join McGregor Memorial EMS.  Ben began his EMS career in 2003 as an EMT-B with WPI EMS. Ben grew up in Peterborough, NH, and joined its Fire and Rescue department in 2004 working on the ambulance while pursuing his EMT- Intermediate certification which he obtained later that year.  In 2005, Ben moved to Durham to study Biology at UNH and began his volunteer service with McGregor.  Welcome Ben.

UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE MILL POND CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Thursday, June 19, 2008, 5:30 PM, Bliss in concert. Tickets: $10/Adults, $25/Family rate, $5/12 and under, FREE/5 and under. Bring a picnic, chairs, and blankets. Dinner available for purchase A La Carte menu from Hickory Pond Inn.

Friday, June 20, 2008, 8:00 PM (doors open at 7:00 PM), The Robin Nolan Trio and Ameranouche. Tickets: $20.00. Bring a picnic, chairs, and blankets. Dinner available for purchase by the Blue Mermaid Island Grill.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call (603) 868-8999 or visit www.millpondcenter.org.

FROM HISTORY IN AN OYSTERSHELL – 1600 – 1976

“1786 – Mail was delivered by post riders from Portsmouth, and in 1796 Benjamin Thompson became our first postmaster. In the next 120 years 12 men and women held the office and did business in 10 stores and homes, being in the Ffrost store by the Falls for 40 years.”

For motorcycle enthusiasts, Laconia Motorcycle Week begins tomorrow, Saturday, June 14th, kicking off a week filled with “summer thunder” as tens of thousands of motorcyclists flock to the Granite State.

Have a nice Father’s Day weekend.

Todd

Todd I. Selig, Administrator
Town of Durham
15 Newmarket Road
Durham, New Hampshire 03824
Tel (603) 868-5571
Fax (603) 868-5572
tselig@ci.durham.nh.us
www.ci.durham.nh.us

The Town of Durham has developed a list server. The server provides interested individuals with updates and announcements concerning the community. Individuals interested in subscribing should send an email to Town_of_Durham@ci.durham.nh.us and type the word SUBSCRIBE in the subject line