“FRIDAY UPDATES”

April 10, 2009

 

           

 

Annual Easter Egg Hunt 2008

Sponsored by the Durham Parks and Recreation Committee and Oyster River Parents and Preschoolers

 

We have been fortunate to have a few nice spring days this week. Hopefully the rain predicted for this evening will clear out in time for tomorrow morning’s annual Easter Egg Hunt. 

 

 

Annual Easter Egg Hunt

A final reminder that the annual Easter Egg Hunt, hosted by the Durham Parks and Recreation Committee and Oyster River Parents and Preschoolers, will be held tomorrow morning, April 11^th, at 10:00 AM, at the Old Town Landing (Rain/Snow Date: Saturday, April 18).  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.

 

Application for Elderly Exemptions  

Eligible citizens may apply for an Elderly Exemption or other exemptions/credits (Veterans Credit, Blind Exemption, Solar, etc.) by the deadline of April 15, 2009 for the 2009 spring tax bill. An application may be obtained from the Planning, Zoning, and Assessing Office located on the first floor of the Town Hall, 15 Newmarket Road.  Questions regarding these exemptions can be directed to the Planning, Zoning, and Assessing Office at 868-8064. Current criteria and exemption amounts for the elderly are as follows:

 

Income Criteria

            Single net income:                            Not more than $28,077.00

            Married, combined income:             Less than        $37,647.00

 

Asset Criteria

            Net assets:                                         Not in excess of $150,000.00

 

Age Eligibility Criteria                                  Exemption Amount

            65 years up to 75 years:                   $  96,000.00

            75 years up to 80 years:                   $128,000.00

            80 years or older:                              $175,000.00

 

FEMA FUNDING FOR BRUSH COLLECTION DUE TO DECEMBER ICE STORM EVENT

This week, Department of Public Works personnel met with FEMA official Dave Wallace to assess the Town for brush amounts.  Mr. Wallace was impressed with the department’s bookkeeping and organization. He agreed to financially contribute on behalf of FEMA.  At the April 6^th Town Council meeting, the Council approved the contract for York Woods Tree Service of South Berwick, ME to conduct our brush collection. 

 

SPECIAL BRUSH COLLECTION SCHEDULED

There will be a special brush collection on Monday, April 27. 2009, concluding by May 8, 2009, to help residents dispose of the surplus debris from the December ice storm.  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.   

 

Spring Cleanup

The annual bulky waste collection will be held starting Monday, May 11^th, all items out by 7AM.  This is the Spring Cleanup where residents may put out their bulky waste for collection instead of bringing it up to the Transfer Station with a coupon.  Remember that electronics will still need to have their stickers attached in order to be collected.  The details for the collection were in the Spring Newsletter which residents should have received by mail earlier this week.  Click here for details. 

 

Community Garden

The Town is working with a volunteer group to support a community garden located at Wagon Hill Farm.  The planning process is moving along with the design of a parking lot and a garden layout.  If the program moves forward this year, it will be via a small pilot program consisting of a few small gardens, 10 x 10 plots.  The next step is to bring a plan review before the Parks and Recreation Committee. More news will follow as this program progresses.

 

LIGHT EMITTING DIODE (LED) STREET LIGHTING

Public Works Director Mike Lynch met with lighting distributers this week regarding new LED (light emitting diode) street lighting.  The initial energy savings forecast would take our current fixtures which run on a standard 175 watt street light and adapt them to operate on 35 watt LED panels, which would represent a large savings in energy use and cost.  This is very new technology not yet utilized in New Hampshire.  Public Works is lobbying for Durham to become the pilot program in the state through a partnership through the lighting manufacturer. 

 

PUBLIC HEARINGS

RSA 79-E, Community Revitalization Tax Relief Incentive Program

On Monday, April 20, 2009, the Durham Town Council will hold a Public Hearing relative to the adoption of RSA 79-E, the Community Revitalization Tax Relief Incentive program. The meeting will begin at 7:00 PM and will be held in the Council chambers at Town Hall, 15 Newmarket Road. Interested citizens are encouraged to attend the public hearing and express their views.  Written comments will be accepted until 5:00 PM on Friday, April 17, 2009, at the Town Administrator’s office. Comments may also be sent by electronic mail to jberry@ci.durham.nh.us. Questions regarding this matter may be addressed to Jim Campbell, Director of Planning and Community Development, 868-8064, or email jcampbell@ci.durham.nh.us

 

Oyster River Dam

On Monday, May 4, 2009, the Durham Town Council will hold a Public Hearing to receive input regarding options for repairing, replacing, or removing the Oyster River Dam at the Mill Pond located along Route 108/Newmarket Road in Durham. The Council will conduct its regular business meeting following the public hearing. The meeting will begin at 7:00 PM and will be held at the Oyster River High School Multipurpose Room, Coe Drive. Interested citizens are encouraged to attend the public hearing and express their views.  Written comments will be accepted until 5:00 PM on Friday, May 1, 2009, at the Town Administrator’s office. Comments may also be sent by electronic mail to jberry@ci.durham.nh.us A copy of the final report relative to the cost comparison for rehabilitation versus decommissioning of the Oyster River Dam may be viewed at the Town Administrator’s Office located on the second floor of Town Hall, 15 Newmarket Road, or on the Town’s web site at www.ci.durham.nh.us

 

GATE VALVE EXERCISING AND FLUSHING OF WATER MAINS

The Town of Durham and the University of New Hampshire will be exercising gate valves starting Tuesday, April 28, 2009 through Friday, May 8, 2009, from approximately 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM.  In addition, water mains will be flushed beginning 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. Residents are cautioned to not draw water if they 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.

 

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.

 

Town Council – Monday, April 13, 2009 (Work session to begin goal setting process for 2009/10)

Planning Board – Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Parks and Recreation Committee – Thursday, April 16, 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 

 

DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY UPCOMING EVENTS

·        Wednesday, April 15, 2009, 1:30 PM - Friends of the Library Meeting at the DPL. All are welcome to attend.

·        Thursday, April 16, 2009, 7:00 PM - Trustee Meeting at the DPL. All are welcome to attend.

·        Thursday, April 23, 2009, 10:30 AM - Wayne from Maine will be performing at the Oyster River High School Multipurpose Room. This event is co-sponsored by the Durham, Lee and Madbury Libraries.

·        Teens, vote for your favorite books during April! Teens in grades 9-12 can cast their vote for the Flume Award, while Teens in grades 7and 8 can cast their votes for the Isinglass.

 

HICKORY POND INN

Hickory Pond Inn is pleased to announce NEW hours for public dining Thursday – Saturday 5:00 to 8:00 PM and EASTER Sunday Brunch 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM. This Saturday evening dine to the Piano Stylings of Richard Cummings from 6-8 PM.  Reservations are welcome, but not necessary. Mention this announcement and receive a discount. Visit the Hickory Pond Inn’s website at www.hickorypondinn.com.

 

Active Retirement Association

On Sunday, April 19, 2009, 3:30 PM, at the Durham Community Church, the Active Retirement Association Memorial Fund and River Run Bookstore will present John Hanson Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell is the author of "The Paradise of All These Parts", which takes the reader along to explore Boston's natural past from prehistoric glaciers to bird-watching on the Commons. The reading is FREE and open to the public.

 

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.

 

PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MEETING ON SENATE BILL 168

On Tuesday, April 28, 2009, a legislative informational meeting on Senate Bill SB 168 will be held in the Council chambers at the Durham Town Hall from 5:00 to 6:30 PM. The informational meeting will be conducted by Representative Judith Spang, Chair of the House Resources, Recreation and Development Committee, and Ted Diers, Program Director of the New Hampshire Coastal Program. This bill proposes to replace the Estuary Alliance for Sewage Treatment (EAST) enabled by RSA 485E with another more broad organization called the Coastal Watershed Alliance, and public input will be used to make major revisions to SB 168. For more information about the SB 168 visit the NH Senate Website at http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/senate/ and do a “quick bill search” for SB 168.

 

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

 

PANCAKE BREAKFAST BENEFIT FUND-RAISER – DURHAM FD/ FIRE FIGHTERS ASSOCIATION

The Durham Fire Department and Durham Professional Fire Fighters Association Local 2253 will hold a pancake breakfast benefit fund-raiser on Saturday, April 18, 2009 from 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM at the Oyster River High School, 55 Coe Drive, Durham. A minimum $5.00 donation is requested for the breakfast.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Lyme Disease Prevention

Spring has arrived bringing with it ticks and the increased threat of tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease. Citizens are urged to take precautions to prevent the potential for becoming infected with tick-borne diseases by performing frequent, thorough tick checks, wearing light-colored clothes, tucking pants into socks, and placing clothes in the dryer for 30 minutes to kill ticks.  More information may be obtained by contacting the Lyme Disease Association, Inc., PO Box 1438, Jackson, NH 08527, or calling Toll-free (888) 366-6611, or by E-mail: Lymeliter@aol.com. You may also visit their website at: www.LymeDiseaseAssociation.org. 

 

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, contact Emma Bricker at 862-2355, or go to the Jazz Band web site at www.debbiehodge.typepad.com/orms_jazz_band

 

Date	Time	What	Where	Cost
Thu, 4/16	3:30 PM	Jazz Band performs	Durham MarketPlace (sponsor of the Jazz Through the Miles 5K)
Thu, 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
Sun, 4/26	3:00 PM	Jazz Through the Miles 5K Fund Run/Walk	Begins and ends at the UNH Thompson School of Applied Science
Sat, 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

 

Weekly Police Arrest Report

Week – 16                                         13 UNH (81%)           3 Other (19%)

*2008/09 Academic Year – 676     434 UNH (64%)         242 Other (36%)

Calendar Year –199                         128 UNH (64%)         71 Other (36%)

*Commenced September 1, 2008 

 

Historical data for the same week

Year	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009
Week	56	34	11	41	16
Academic Year	807	912	749	657	676
Calendar Year	270	250	246	216	199

 

FROM HISTORY IN AN OYSTERSHELL – 1600 – 1976

“1905 – A defective rail caused the wreck of the St. Johns Express near the College shops. Students and faculty broke open the cars and helped the passengers escape. The badly injured were taken to the home of Dr. Grant. The B & M gave NHC $1000, which was used to furnish the new gym.”

 

Happy Passover and Happy Easter.

 

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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