“FRIDAY UPDATES”

April 3, 2009

 

  

 

Humpty Dumpty sat on a…dam? Well, he certainly did on Wednesday this week (April Fools Day).

Courtesy Tom Bebbington & Tom Richardson

 

The spring sweeping program is moving along slowly but nicely.  DPW crews will continue to sweep until all roads and sidewalks are completed. 

 

Cowell Area Residents Association & Student Housing Concerns

Residents within the Cowell Drive, Glassford Lane, Park Court, and Sauer Terrace neighborhood have come together to form the Cowell Area Residents Association with the goal of addressing non-owner occupied student rentals within their neighborhood in order to more effectively address problematic issues associated with disruptive social gatherings, neighborhood trash, street parking, parking on tenant lots, and property maintenance concerns.  Representatives from the Association had addressed the Durham Rental Housing Commission (DRHA) at its last meeting and on Monday of this week, March 30, 2009, DRHA Chairperson Paul Berton organized a forum at the Town Office intended to continue the discussion by including the owners of rental properties within the neighborhood.  Three of five absentee landlords attended.   For a copy of the handout distributed by the Association, click HERE.  

 

Mr. Berton outlined a toolkit of measures that, together, have proven to be effective in managing the impact of student housing within traditional residential neighborhoods.  Some suggestions included having the tenants' parents as a cosignatory on leases, establishing "social occupancy" rules within individual leases, active management of parking by landlords, and having a private security service help to control problematic behavior within such rental units, particularly on Thursday through Saturday nights.  Mr. Berton emphasized the importance of follow up by the landlords.

 

Police Chief David Kurz, Deputy Chief Rene Kelley, Assistant Fire Chief Jason Cleary, Dir. of Planning & Community Development Jim Campbell, three Town Councilors, and the Town Administrator were in attendance, as was a representative from the University of New Hampshire. To view an article on this subject in today’s The New Hampshire, go to http://media.www.tnhonline.com/media/storage/paper674/news/2009/04/03/News/Residents.And.Renters.Look.To.Find.Common.Ground-3695772.shtml?reffeature=htmlemailedition. 

 

Kaleida-Scoop Reopens for the Spring Season

In a clear sign of spring, The Kaleida-Scoop ice cream/refreshment area in front of the Durham MarketPlace has reopened Thursdays thru Sundays for the month of April.  On May 1^st, it will resume daily operation.

 

Downtown Durham Hotel/Conference Center Project

A meeting organized by Administrator Selig took place on March 18, 2009, involving representatives from Pro Con Construction, The Kane Companies, the Town of Durham, and the University of New Hampshire to continue discussing the possibility of Pro Con and Kane developing a hotel/conference center facility in the vicinity of Pettee Brook Lane and Main Street in downtown Durham.  There remains continued interest on the part of both companies in evaluating this idea.  A subsequent meeting has been scheduled for mid-April.

 

Mill Plaza

On Monday of this week, Administrator Selig organized a telephone conference with the owner of the Mill Plaza (Colonial Durham Associates) from New York and Council Chairman Neil Niman.  The meeting was intended to update the owner on ongoing development activity in Durham within the downtown core and to ascertain whether there was still interest on the part of the owner in moving forward with a redevelopment of the Plaza in light of the existing recessionary environment and tightening within the credit markets.  The discussion was productive.  Mr. Selig will meet with the Plaza owner next week when he (the owner) visits Durham.

 

Durham Police Department Community Survey – Under Development, Coming Soon

The Durham Police Department is once again working with Dr. Andrew Smith of the UNH Survey Center to administer a community survey designed to help the department better understand the perceptions and wishes of residents in order to enhance and refine the policing services provided in Durham.  The community survey is utilized approximately every three years.  This will be the fifth time we have utilized it in Durham.  Residents will learn more about the upcoming survey in the near future.

 

Evaluation of Health Insurance Opportunities for Non-Unionized Staff

In an effort to stay abreast of changes within the health care industry and potential opportunities that may be available to our non-unionized personnel and the Town as a whole to either save money or possibly modify/enhance existing services offered to better meet staff/Town needs, the Administrator has invited a representative from Primex to talk with our non-unionized personnel next Tuesday, April 7, 2009, in the Town Council chambers beginning at 1:00 p.m. to discuss the Harvard Pilgrim Health Plan’s offerings.  The Town presently offers BC/BS Anthem health plans to its employees.  In November 2008 MSN Money and U.S. News &World Report ranked "America's 20 Best Health Plans" and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care of New England was ranked as #1. 

 

It is important to note that no decision has been made to make a change in the health care offerings available to Durham's non-unionized personnel.  At the same time, it is important that Durham remains competitive within the marketplace, offers benefits which meet the needs of our staff, and that the community continues to focus upon the bottom line.  

 

RSA 79-E, Community Revitalization Tax Relief Incentive

On Monday evening, April 6, 2009, the Town Council will receive a presentation on RSA 79-E, the Community Revitalization Tax Relief Incentive.  This is a program that provides short-term property assessment tax relief and a related covenant to protect the public benefit that is being created.  The purpose is to encourage reinvestment in existing buildings/structures within the downtown area.  This would not include the demolition and subsequent rebuilding of a structure, but rather the rehabilitation of the existing structure. 

 

To qualify, the building must be a “qualifying structure”, which means it is a building located in a district officially designated in a municipality’s master plan, or by zoning ordinance, as a downtown, town center, central business district, or village center.  For Durham’s purposes, we believe this would include the area identified as the “Community Core” in the 2000 Master Plan.  In addition, the value of the rehabilitation must be equal to at least 15% of a buildings pre-rehab assessed value or $75,000, whichever is less.  Finally, the proposed substantial rehabilitation must provide a public benefit.  In order to be considered a public benefit the substantial rehabilitation must provide at least one of the following:  It enhances the economic vitality of the downtown; it enhances and improves a structure that is culturally or historically important; it promotes development of municipal centers, providing for efficiency, safety, and a greater sense of community; and it increases residential housing in urban or town centers.

 

The tax relief would be for a finite period of time during which time the property tax on the structure would not increase.  When the finite tax relief has expired, the structure would be taxed at its full market value.  The Town Council may grant such tax assessment relief for a period of up to five (5) years, beginning with the completion of the substantial rehabilitation.  The Town Council would also be enabled to, at its discretion, add up to an additional two (2) years of tax relief for a project that results in new residential units and up to four (4) years of tax relief for a project that includes affordable housing.  Finally, the Town Council may, at its own discretion, add up to an additional four (4) years of tax relief for the substantial rehabilitation of a qualifying structure that is listed on or determined to be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, state register of historic places, or located within and important to the Durham historic District.

 

This use of this program has been endorsed by the Economic Development Committee, the Historic District Commission, and the Planning Board.  In addition, the adoption of RSA 79-E is one of the listed programs the Economic Development Committee would like to move forward as part of their effort to encourage economic development in the Town of Durham.  The Town Council will need to hold a public hearing on the adoption of RSA 79-E and may consider and act upon the question at the same meeting. 

 

Update on Main Street (west) Enhancement Project

On Monday, April 6, 2009, the Town Council will receive an update and be asked to endorse the Main Street West Enhancement Project.  In 2003 the Town of Durham and University of New Hampshire (UNH) jointly applied for and received from the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) a Traffic Enhancement (TE) Grant. The TE Grant’s criteria, which is based on a competitive scoring system, includes Transit System improvements for public transportation, improvements to promote bicycle use, improved pedestrian safety and movement as the priority components of the grant process. Other criteria include lighting improvements, pedestrian amenities, traffic calming, and landscaping. In 2008 a working group was formed to select an engineering firm through a qualification basis process and see the project through completion. The group included three members from the University; Doug Bencks, Campus Planner and Architect, Stephen Pesci, Special Projects Manager, and Paul Henry, Construction and Design Project Manager. The group’s Town members included, James Campbell, Director of Planning and Community Development, Public Works Director Michael Lynch, and former Town Councilor Henry Smith. The working group reviewed over 14 proposals and chose the Maguire Group of Portsmouth, New Hampshire as its project engineers.

 

The approved grant is $776,000 for transportation and pavement improvements along the Main Street corridor from Railroad Bridge west to Rte 155A/Mast Road. This funding currently does not presently include the construction of a round-a-bout at North Drive (old Loop Rd), yet we are pursuing Federal stimulus funding for that portion of the project.

 

The Town’s contribution to this project is $49,000 and the UNH contribution to this project is $106,200 in cash and UNH will administer the grant. The project carries a contingency of $77,600.

 

The Maguire Group is now in the final stages of the design process. The Town and UNH held a public hearing on February 20, 2009 at the Durham Town Hall to solicit input from the general public. 7 people attended the 90 minute session and all attendees approved of the project with a couple of minor suggestions. The Traffic Safety Committee has discussed this project several times and endorses the plan as presented. Jim Campbell reviewed the project with the Planning Board.

 

Major Project Components:

New east and west bound bus stops near Mast Road

Possible round-a-bout at North drive

Stormwater/drainage improvements at North Drive

• 4 foot wide marked bike lanes throughout the corridor
• 7ft sidewalk/multi-use path and handicap ramp improvements
• Traditional painted crosswalks
• Current UNH decorative lighting installed on both sides of the corridor
• Enhanced lighting at all crosswalks and pathways
• New pavement treatment including full depth reclamation
• Multi-use path to Channel 11 and new Bryant Property Development
• Increased landscaping throughout the corridor
• 11 foot travel lanes to calm traffic

 

Annual Evaluation of Department Heads

Each March/April, the Town Administrator conducts annual performance evaluations for the heads of the Town’s various departments, reviews work accomplished, and begins to collaboratively set goals for the next year.  This cycle allows the Administrator and department heads to tie departmental goals in with the Town Council goals which typically are established in April/May. The Administrator will next be meeting with each department head individually over the next two to three weeks to discuss evaluation results in more detail and to jointly outline strategies for moving forward.

 

Durham Business Association (DBA) Downtown Focus Forum Report

On March 6, 2009, the Durham Business Association (DBA) worked with the Town Administrator to organize a forum focusing upon ways in which the Town could help promote expansion of downtown businesses and the broadening of our tax base with members of the DBA.  Town Council Chair Neil Niman and Planning & Community Development Director Jim Campbell also participated as part of the forum.  Zoning topics were discussed, as well as an overview of development discussions that are presently ongoing at a number of locations within the downtown area (new mixed use structures at the former Houghton's Hardware and former Don Thompson Real Estate sites, the possibility of constructing a new hotel/conference center in the vicinity of Pettee Brook and Main Street, an update on the Mill Plaza project, the new River's Edge student housing development at the west end of Old Concord Road, the Bryant "green" student housing project proposed for Mast Road, as well as other student housing and general development project ideas throughout the community). 

 

An additional focused thread of discussion generated by those in attendance at the forum was the perceived negative impact on-campus UNH businesses have on downtown Durham.  One DBA member had walked campus with a measuring wheel and estimated that there are 42,000 sq. ft. of retail space on campus exclusive of the dining halls. To this end, the DBA will be working with UNH to plan a subsequent forum focusing on the general topic of UNH on campus retail operations and their impact upon downtown Durham. 

 

Joint DBA/Town Forum on Code/Zoning Enforcement

The Administrator has worked with the Durham Business Association to organize an opportunity for DBA members to sit down with Mr. Selig and Code Enforcement Officer Tom Johnson on May 1, 2009, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., to discuss the experiences of members in dealing with Durham's permit process.  Rather than envisioning the overarching purpose of the code review process as solely one of “Code/Zoning Enforcement,” in essence forcing applicants to comply with applicable regulations whether they like it or not, Mr. Selig is working to identify strategies to begin rethinking the Town's charge as being one of “Code Assistance” or “guidance,” in other words assisting or guiding applicants to complete projects successfully in accordance with the rules and regulations in place.  While the end result remains the same, adherence to applicable codes per state law and local zoning, this subtle, yet important shift in conscious approach may help to make the process more user friendly for applicants while also meeting our statutory obligation to impartially administer the code/zoning requirements in place.  The Administrator will also be extending an invitation to the Durham Landlords Association to participate in the discussion.

 

TOWN RECEIVES FEMA GRANT FUNDS FOR DECEMBER 11-23, 2008 STORM EVENT

The Town has received notification from the State of New Hampshire Department of Safety Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division that it has received grant funding totaling $38,092.29 of which Durham’s costs are eligible for reimbursement at a 75% Federal share totaling $28,569.22. These costs were incurred between the dates of December 11 and 23, 2008 revolving around severe winter storms that caused power outages, down trees, and icy conditions throughout the Town of Durham. The Town of Durham expended $9,818.13 in labor costs, $24,205.75 in equipment costs, $3,968.41 in materials costs, and $100 in direct administrative costs for a total of $38,092.29.

 

December 2008 Ice Storm Brush Pick-up – SPECIAL BRUSH COLLECTION SCHEDULED 

As the snow melts, residents are finding brush left behind from the December ice storm.  There will be a special brush collection on Monday, April 27, 2009, to help residents dispose of extra debris.  Two contracted crews will be hired to do the town-wide collection as part of the FEMA reimbursement for the December 2008 ice storm disaster.  All brush and limbs must be neatly stacked and out by 7:00 AM, Monday, April 27^th--no exceptions.  Please take caution to not block sidewalks.  If items are put out after the date and the collection is missed, crews will not be able to return to pick them up.  Limbs must be less than 10 inches in diameter to be collected since they will be chipped.  If collection is missed, or if residents want to bring items to the Transfer Station instead, they must abide by the 5 inch by 5 foot maximum and bring them on Tuesdays or Saturdays between 7:30 AM and 3:15 PM.   

 

Oyster River DAM at Mill Pond

At the March 16, 2009 Town Council meeting, the Council held a discussion relative to the Oyster River dam at Mill Pond and subsequently voted to schedule a Public Hearing regarding this matter for its May 4th meeting. A memorandum dated December 12, 2008, describing the problems and comparing preliminary costs of rehabilitating or decommissioning the dam, was prepared by the engineering firm that inspected the dam. To view this document, click HERE. To view the final Dam Evaluation Report dated March 17, 2009, submitted by the same firm, click HERE.  Additional information about the Oyster River Dam can also be obtained on the Town web site at http://ci.durham.nh.us/GOVERNMENT/Commissions/historic/OR%20Dam/historic_dam.html. 

 

GREAT BAY WATERSHED

Town Engineer Dave Cedarholm gave testimony at a public hearing for Senate Bill 168 held by the Energy, Environment and Economic Development Committee at the Legislative Office Building in Concord this past Tuesday.  The bill is intended repeal existing RSA 485-E which provided the enabling legislation to establish the Estuary Alliance for Sewage Treatment (EAST) and enable the establishment of the Coastal Watershed Alliance.  The Coastal Watershed Alliance would be a watershed-wide organization, much like EAST would have been, but it is intended to focus on a more broad range of issues affecting the water quality of the Great Bay estuary such as land use planning and stormwater management.  The bill introduces a scoring system to leverage active participation by the 44 communities in the Great Bay watershed to encourage land planning solutions to solve the water quality issues in the Great Bay estuary.  Each of the 44 communities would be required to maintain a Coastal Watershed Protection Planning Score of at least 75 to maintain eligibility for state funding of projects relating to water, sewer, stormwater, housing, conservation planning, transportation, congestion mitigation and air quality, and community development assistance. Mr. Cedarholm spoke in favor of an effort to develop a watershed-wide approach to solving the water quality issues of the Great Bay estuary, but he argued that the proposed bill would establish an unfair funding approval system that could preferentially favor individual communities and disproportionately assign the majority of financial responsibility to the communities with wastewater treatment facilities.  To learn more about Senate Bill 168 visit the New Hampshire Senate’s website http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/senate/.

 

IDENTITY SCAMS/THEFT

Identity theft is so common in the modern age of computers that even the police chief on a Town computer is not immune.  Last week a friend of Police Chief Dave Kurz sent an email asking for him to send $3,500 immediately as he was stranded in Amsterdam after he had been robbed in a cab.  What made this possible is that the chief’s friend is an airline pilot who very well could have been in such a scenario.  The tip off to the chief was that several of the words were misspelled, not common for this acquaintance. As it turned out, a quick telephone call confirmed the suspicions that an identity scam/theft was in actually progress. Unfortunately, distance and technology nuances make the prosecution of these crimes extremely problematic even for the Secret Service who would have oversight.  Many of these scams originate through several African countries, most notably Nigeria.  Durham citizens should be aware of such spelling nuances and other oddities in their emails.  Chief Kurz advises that if it appears wrong and/or odd, it should be “deleted” immediately.

 

“Greenup Durham”

Durham: It’s Where U Live, UNH, and the Department of Public Works will hold a spring cleanup of the downtown area of Durham on Saturday, May 9, 2009. This year, it will be in partnered up with the Oyster River Festival/Bobcat Bolt. More information to follow regarding who interested participants can contact.

 

Bagdad Road Bridge Painting

Durham Public Works personnel met with New Hampshire Department of Transportation officials to finalize plans for the Bagdad Road bridge painting.  NHDOT is scheduled to repaint the Bagdad Road Bridge over Route 4 from approximately June 22 through August 21, 2009.  The work will be done between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Traffic is expected to be slowed through the work corridor for safety reasons, but there are no anticipated detours or closures.  If you have any general questions, you can call the Department of Public Works at 868-5578. 

 

2009 Road Program

Today at 2:00 PM, the Department of Public Works opened bids for the 2009 Road Program.  Residents may recall that this is the second bidding on this project as the Town declined all bids submitted in January due to cost.  The final bid results for this program will be reported in next week’s Friday Updates.  Stay tuned.

 

TOWN REFUSE COLLECTION VEHICLE

Recently, Department of Public Works personnel and the Town Administrator met with a representative of Navistar International Corporation in regards to the poor performance of the Town’s 2005 refuse collection vehicle.  The truck has experienced multiple breakdowns above and beyond what would be expected from such a vehicle.  Because of this, Public Works has requested that Navistar replace the entire cab and chassis of this truck.  To date, the Town has not received an official response resulting from the meeting. 

 

SPRING WATER METER READING

The Durham Water Department concluded its semi-annual spring water meter reading this week.  Water/sewer bills should follow in approximately one month. 

 

WATER MAIN FLUSHING

The Town of Durham and the University of New Hampshire will be exercising gate valves starting Tuesday, April 28 through Friday, May 8, 2009 from approximately 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM.  In addition, water mains will be flushed beginning on Monday, May 11, 2009, and ending on or before Friday, May 22, 2009.  Flushing will be done at night between the hours of 9:00 PM and 7:00 AM.  These procedures are necessary to eliminate the buildup of sediment in the water mains. Gate valve exercising and flushing of the mains may cause temporary discoloration of the water; however, the water remains safe for drinking. This discoloration will disappear with normal household use. It is suggested that sensitive laundry not be washed if the water is obviously discolored. Try not to draw water if you observe flushing in your area.  Please call the UNH Water Supply at 862-1390 or the Department of Public Works at 868-5578 with questions and/or concerns.

 

ROOF REPLACEMENT AT THE DURHAM POLICE STATION

The Department of Public Works will begin replacing the roof at the Police Station next week. 

 

ORIENTATION FOR CHAIRS & VICE CHAIRS OF TOWN BOARDS

In an effort to provide chairs, vice chairs, and other committee members with information on the proper structure of meetings, the role of the committee chair, vice chair, secretary, alternates, and Council representatives, as well as outlining the basics of the Right-to-Know Law including agenda preparation and posting, minutes of meetings, and e-mail correspondence, Town Administrator Todd Selig will hold an orientation session for chairs and vice chairs of the various Town boards, commissions, and committees on Wednesday, June 3, 2009 from 7:00-8:30 PM in the Council chambers at Town Hall. At the conclusion of the orientation, the administrator will open the floor for a question and answer session. All board and committee members are welcome to attend this important and informative orientation.

 

PUBLIC MEETING SCHEDULE

The following public meeting is 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.

 

Durham Energy Committee – Monday, April 6, 2009 (4:30 PM)

Durham Town Council – Monday, April 6, 2009

Integrated Waste Management Advisory Committee – Tuesday, April 7, 2009 (7:30 AM)  

DCAT Governance Committee – Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Durham Conservation Commission – Thursday, April 9, 2009

 

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

To view the Oyster River School Board meeting schedule, click HERE. 

To view the Durham Public Library Board of Trustees meeting schedule, click HERE.

 

DURHAM CABLE ACCESS TELEVISION PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE

To view a listing of the DCAT programming schedule, click HERE 

 

Passover Storytime AT THE DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY

On Wednesday, April 8, 2009, beginning at 10:15 AM, please join the Durham Public Library for a toddler-friendly participatory story about Passover, eat some Matzoh, and make a craft. Please RSVP so enough supplies can be ready. This event is sponsored by the Oyster River Parents and Preschoolers (ORPP). Members should RSVP through the Big Tent website; non- members can email RSVPs to Beth Pescosolido at bethfightmaster@comcast.net.

 

DURHAM BUSINESS ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP MEETING

The Durham Business Association (DBA) will hold its annual meeting at Libby’s Bar & Grill on Thursday, April 16, 2009, from 7:30 to 9:00 AM. The DBA will report on 2008 accomplishments, as well as provide the opportunity for Town officials to present an update. A question and answer period will follow the updates. Refreshments will be provided by The Bagelry, Durham Marketplace, The Hickory Pond Inn, and Libby’s Bar & Grill. Council members interested in attending the annual meeting are asked to please R.S.V.P. by Thursday, April 9^th to d.b.a@myfairpoint.net.

 

Annual Easter Egg Hunt

The annual Easter Egg Hunt, hosted by the Durham Parks and Recreation Committee and Oyster River Parents and Preschoolers, will be held on Saturday morning, April 11, 2009, at 10:00 AM, at the Old Town Landing.  Volunteers are needed. Children will hunt for eggs, meet the bunny, check out a fire engine, and meet members of Durham’s Fire Department. There will be prizes and refreshments. Bring your basket and arrive early, as the hunt will start promptly at 10:00 AM. Please contact Sara Wilson at badgernh@comcast.net or call 659-3016 with any questions or for further information regarding this event.

 

Oyster River Water Quality Monitoring Program – Volunteer Water Monitors Needed

The Oyster River Water Quality Monitoring Program, sponsored by the Durham/UNH Water Supply, Oyster River Watershed Association, and New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, is seeking volunteer water monitors. Working in teams, volunteers collect water quality data on the Oyster River using state-of-the-art instruments. Field sites are easily accessible and sampling trips last just several hours. 

Volunteers can be involved at different levels, depending on interest and time available. For more information, contact Tom Lee, 659-2269, tom.lee@unh.edu or Brian Gallagher, 862-1390, brian.gallagher@unh.edu

 

THIS WEEK AT THE MUSEUM OF ART - UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

NEW – Sunday, April 5, 2 p.m. pre-concert discussion, 3 p.m. concert
Museum of Art, Paul Creative Arts Center

Spring Concert: Irish Imagery The University of New Hampshire Chamber Orchestra performs under the direction of Christopher Hill. The Chamber celebrates the Mendelssohn bicentennial with a performance of his Octet for string orchestra, and performs a Celtic-inspired work by contemporary American composer Evan Chambers, as well as the Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 in F-major by Johann Sebastian Bach. Offered in conjunction with the exhibition Renewal: Printmakers from the New Northern Ireland. Museum of Art, Paul Creative Arts Center, 30 Academic Way, Durham, NH 03824 www.unh.edu/moa

 

New Hampshire Humanities Council Book Discussion: Yankee Crime Series

On Friday, April 24, 2009, beginning at 10:30 AM, the Yankee Crime Series begins at the Durham Public Library with Stranger in the Kingdom (April 24), continues with Flashpoint (May 22), and will end with Primary Storm sometime in June. This selection of murder mysteries, set in New England and written by contemporary New England authors, looks through a local lens at questions such as: What is justice? What role should mercy play? Is crime ever justified? What can ordinary citizens do to uphold social order? Please pick up your copy of Stranger in the Kingdom at the Circulation desk. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

 

PANCAKE BREAKFAST AT BALLARDS RESTAURANT

On Saturday, April 11, 2009, from 9:00-11:00 AM, a Pancake Breakfast with the Easter Bunny will be held at Ballards Restaurant in downtown Durham. Breakfast will include juice, pancakes, choice of bacon or sausage, and beverage. Prices are $3.79 for children under 12 and $4.99 for adults (tax and tip not included). The Easter Bunny will greet customers and will have a gift egg for each child which can be redeemed at Easter Bunny Central (Tastes of New England, 7 Jenkins Court) after breakfast for a special little surprise. The event has been organized by Ballards Restaurant, along with the following local merchants: Hair Dimensions, Hazel'z Inkwell, Tastes of New England, and Bindy's Boutique. Staff from each of the merchants involved will be waiting on customers and tips from the breakfast will go towards producing other events for the residents of Durham.

 

BAKE SALE – POWER OF ONE PROJECT

On Sunday, April 5, 2009, at 11:00 AM, the Power of One project will hold a bake sale at the Durham Marketplace to raise money for the Somaly Mam Foundation. This foundation helps pay for the freedom of girls who have been sold into prostitution. The foundation provides shelter and educates the girls so they will be able to have a career and start a new life. The bake sale will be put on by Emma Rotner.

 

ORMS Jazz Band Upcoming Performances

The Oyster River Middle School Jazz Band will be performing throughout the month of April into the first of May at the events listed below. For more information, go to the Jazz Band web site at www.debbiehodge.typepad.com/orms_jazz_band

 

 

Date	Time	What	Where	Cost
Thursday, 4/2	6:00 – 6:50 PM	Hockey Boosters Chili Fest	OR High School
Friday, 4/3	8:30 AM – 12:30 PM	Rock of Jazz	Libby’s Bar and Grill, downtown	$5 cover charge
Thursday, 4/16	3:30 PM	Jazz Band performs	Durham MarketPlace (sponsor of the Jazz Through the Miles 5K)
Thursday, 4/16	6:30 – 9:00 PM	Death by Chocolate – chocolate delights for all. Silent auction, chocolate dessert-judging contest, and a chocolate fountain; all set to the sounds of the Jazz Band	1925 Room – Elliot Alumni Center, 9 Edgewood Road	$7/person  $12/couple
Sunday, 4/26	3:00 PM	Jazz Through the Miles 5K Fund Run/Walk	Begins and ends at the UNH Thompson School of Applied Science
Saturday, 5/9	9:30 – 11:00 AM	Oyster River Festival	OR High School behind the library

 

ORCSD HOSTS SCREENING OF FILM INCLUDING SAMUEL

On Monday, April 13, 2009, at 6:30 PM, the Oyster River School District will host a screening of the film Including Samuel to be held in the Oyster River High School Auditorium. This nationally acclaimed film chronicles the Habib family’s efforts to include their son Samuel, an individual with cerebral palsy, in school and every facet of their lives. Parents, please take an hour to see this warm and sensitive film. Learn the important role friends and community play in the life of families with disabilities. Free to the public. This film is made possible through a grant from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. View a film clip and learn more about Samuel: http://iod.unh.edu/includingsamuel.html

 

Extreme Air to Host Regional Tournament

New Hampshire’s Competition Jump Rope Team, Extreme Air, will host the USA Jump Rope Region 10 Tournament on Saturday, April 4, 2009 at the Oyster River High School gymnasium at 55 Coe Drive in Durham, New Hampshire.  Members of Extreme Air will face teams from Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New York as they vie for the opportunity to compete at the USA Jump Rope National Championships which will be held in Galveston, Texas in June.

 

This will be the first time that a Regional Tournament has been held in the Granite State and, therefore, presents a unique and exciting opportunity for area residents to experience live competitive jump rope. The event is open to the general public.  The day will begin at 8:00 AM with an Opening Ceremony, followed by single rope individual, relay and double dutch speed events, single rope individual and pairs freestyle, double dutch freestyle and double dutch pairs freestyle.  The competition will conclude late afternoon with group team show and an awards ceremony.  Continental breakfast and lunch, jump ropes and t-shirts will be available for purchase.  Visitors may also purchase a chance to win several exciting raffle prizes.  For additional information visit www.extremeairnh.com.

 

FAMILY BOATBUILDING WORKSHOP - APPLY BY APRIL 15

The tenth annual UNH Marine Docent Family Boatbuilding Workshop will be held at Kingman Farm in Madbury, May 15, 16 and 17. Each participating family will build their own 12 ft. Oyster River Cat sailboat over the three-day weekend. It is a chance for families to work together on a project they will enjoy for years to come. No experience is needed; only a strong desire and rudimentary skills. Single moms, all thumbs dads, and extended families are invited to apply. Each family must include a youth 12 years or older. The boat is a sprightly sailing vessel with a 5 ft. beam that can carry a family of three for a day of sailing on quiet water. It can double as a row boat if there is no wind.  It is light enough to car-top or transport in a pickup, van, or small trailer. The total cost of $950 includes all materials, rigging, and sail. An experienced Docent will work with each family to guarantee success. For complete details and application forms visit our website at www.unh.edu/marine-education. Please call UNH Sea Grant, Mark Wiley or Dari Ward at 749-1565, or Project Director Ray Belles at 868-7180 with questions.

 

BOBCAT BOLT 5K/10K AND OYSTER RIVER FESTIVAL

On Saturday, May 9, 2009, the inaugural Bobcat Bolt 5K/10K and Oyster River Festival, presented by Gault Builders, will be held at the Oyster River High school where the race will begin. The Bobcat Bolt and the Oyster River Festival are part of the larger goal to bring the Seacoast together to celebrate with sport, live music, art, and a positive community building effort. Proceeds from the races will benefit youth initiatives in the surrounding community in honor of Durham, NH brothers Joshua and Nathan Hardy. A Youth Center, with music, art, and a skatepark in the school district is the immediate focus. Registration is $35 and can be completed online at www.bobcatbolt.com. Following the race, the inaugural Oyster River Festival will commence with live music, art exhibitions, and food vendors on-site. For more information, contact Race Director Christopher Jerard at CJ@bobcatbolt.com or Festival Director Anita Mathur at Anita@bobcatbolt.com

 

Weekly Police Arrest Report

Week - 24                                          17 UNH (71%)           7 Other (29%)

*2008/09 Academic Year -660       421 UNH (64%)         239 Other (36%)

Calendar Year –183                         115 UNH (63%)         68 Other (37%)

*Commenced September 1, 2008 

 

Historical data for the same week

Year	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009
Week	34	28	31	24	24
Academic Year	751	878	738	616	660
Calendar Year	214	216	235	175	183

 

FROM HISTORY IN AN OYSTERSHELL – 1600 – 1976

“1905 – The first auto was inventoried at $400. Early owners of cars were President Gibbs, Deans Taylor and Pettee, Dr. Grant, Dad Henderson, Stone, Curry, Kendall. Gasoline was sold at Edgerly’s Store in Pettee Block, 5 gallons for $1, and strained through chamois-skin into tank.”

 

Have a nice 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

 

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